Assessment & Evaluation with Technology

Norm Christopherson EDU 697 Dr. Christopher Sorensen August 24, 2013

Program Learning objectives 6 & 7 exemplified

Evaluate technology resources to facilitate effective assessment and evaluation. Utilize technology to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings.

 The following assignment for week four meets the requirement for illustrating and explaining PLO (Program Learning Outcome)

Program Learning Outcomes PLO 6 Using technology resources to facilitate effective assessment and evaluation PLO 7 Utilizing technology to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings

The following is an example learning module that illustrates the use of technology to meet PLO 6 & 7.

 The ADDIE model was used to create a learning module for a SAT vocabulary development learning program aimed at meeting the need for adult students preparing to take the SAT exam in vocabulary knowledge. An analysis was performed to determine the student audience and desired learning outcomes necessary to successfully pass or excel with the SAT vocabulary portion of the exam. A course design was developed using technology resources as the student model of learning keeping in mind the flexibility of the mode of delivery. The design of the program is centered around the use of a pre-existing software package that can be downloaded from the Internet to mobile devices such as iPhones, iPads or smartphones.
The delivery of the program is through the use of the downloadable application which each student is to purchase off the Internet just as they might be required to purchase a class textbook. The application has the ability to perform a pretest to determine the students prior knowledge, an ongoing evaluation (formative evaluation) of the students progress and a final assessment (summative evaluation) to determine individual students readiness for the SAT vocabulary exam.

 The instructor of the class will have the ability to download the students progress scores as well as the final scores at the conclusion of the course. The application has the ability to present the student with visual feedback as it presents vocabulary words and definitions. In addition, the student can hear the words pronounced by a digital reader as well as see and hear the word used in a proper sentence. Furthermore, the student can easily as to be presented with synonyms and antonyms for each word. A key component of the program is the assessment scoring portion of the educational technology tool allowing the student to see his or her ongoing progress, which words seem to be in need of review and a final assessment at the end of the program. The instructor can analyze the results and provide individual feedback to the student as a result of the digitally compiled assessments.

 During the study phase of the program students have control over the pacing of the presentation of the vocabulary. This allows learners to spend as much or as little time absorbing new material as they wish. In addition, the learner can back up or review prior vocabulary terms and definitions as they please thus giving them more control over the presentation of the material. Later, when the learner is ready she may participate in a speed test where words are presented quickly and the learner only has a fixed amount of time to provide an answer. This feature is used to duplicate the fast pace of an actual SAT exam where the test taker needs to move quickly in order to complete the entire exam within the limited amount of time provided.

 This entire method of learning is very constructivist in its method as students make their own connections between the vocabulary, the definitions and the proper use of the words in context of a sentence. The learner also has a great deal of control of not only the pace of the study but of the time and place of study. The mobility of the program allows the learner to use the program nearly anywhere at their chosen time.
The combined use of graphic presentation of vocabulary, audio narration of the words, student controlled pacing and a highly mobile hand-held device allow for student convenience and personalized learning modalities. However, the build-in assessment inventory features illustrate how technology can be used to meet PLO 6 & 7.

 For this EDU 697 assignment there were no significant obstacles that I can identify that I had to overcome.

The assignment did expand my thinking regarding the use of technology and technology tools for pretests, ongoing student assessments and tracking learner progress for instant feedback.

Welcome To Vocubulary 101 For Graduate Record Exam Preparation

This class requirement will assist you in preparing for the vocabulary section on your GRE exam

How This Technology Centered Study App Will Be Used In Our Class
We will use this study as a portion of your preparation for the GRE exam
You will purchase and download this iPhone/iPad app Purchasing the GRE SmartVocab app is a course requirement just as purchasing a book could be required

The GRE SmartVocab app will do the following

Provide you with a prior assessment of your current vocabulary level of common GRE vocabulary words Provide you with a series of vocabulary building exercises Allow you to review vocabulary at any time Allow you to study and review on the go with your mobile device

 Allows you to take practice vocabulary quizzes when you like Keeps a regular record (assessment) of your scores Automatically tracks your progress Allows you to return to words you are having the most difficulty with You gain personal confidence as you see your scoring results Makes learning enjoyable using your highly mobile hand-held device you can take anywhere

Download GRE smart:vocab From iTunes

Built-in assessment tool keeps track of the words you mastered, words you are currently working on and the words commonly found on GRE exams

Keeps a running assessment of your score on the current quiz you are taking

Allows you to take timed tests so you Practice at speeds you may encounter Or expect on the actual GRE exam

Presents you with example word usage as well as a definition

Touch Screen Synonym choices

Take advantage of technology to make learning convenient, enjoyable, portable and provide you with immediate scoring and progress tracking

Confidently know when you Are ready for the real GRE

So, lets get started expanding our vocabularies

 References
Bedard-Voorhees, A., Johnson, L.M., & Dobson, P. (2011). Letting them show what they know: Digital assessment strategies [Book Submission Chapter Final Version]. In S. Hirtz and K. Kelly (Eds.) Education for a Digital World 2.0, Section F: eAssessment: Measuring in Ways that Matter. British Columbia: Province of British Columbia. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smart-vocab-gre/id339207335?mt=8