Reading Prompt # 8

CUMMINS Ch. 3. Assessment
EGBERT Ch. 8. Assessment
What is the difference between traditional standardized testing and authentic assessment? Describe how computers can be used for both. Which do you feel is a better use of computers? Describe examples from the readings or from your own experiences how computers can be used effectively for assessment, and/or how to effectively assess the work students do via the computer.

Assessments are very important piece in teaching and learning. It is a form to make summative evaluations and to provide instructional feedback to track student’s areas of progress or their weakness. Assessments can be summative or formative and can be formal (standardized), or informal. Traditional assessment, is where the student recall or select an answer (multiple choice, true and false, fill in the blank, matching tests or quizzes). This assessments can be local or state standardized (THEA, TAKS, PPR) or creating by a teacher (teacher-centered). Authentic assessments, can be a task to perform (real scenario) and evaluated with a rubric. Is where the students analyze, and demonstrate meaningful application of their knowledge and skills learned.
Assessments also help language learning by creating them interactive, formative, and authentic. Computers can be very helpful for teachers for creating assessments and for rubrics. There are many formats in the Internet that teachers can used in their classroom. According to Egbert, computer assessment is used to perform actual assessments and carry them out and for posting their results on the Internet. That way the feedback and progress will be send immediately and it will it is adaptable for students with disabilities.
In my future classrooms, I will like for my students to have computer skills in order to maintain a open door policy via Internet (student – parents). They will send me their homework or test and ask me questions and concerns about it. It will be fun and easy for the teacher to grade.