TF-TL_Standard_04

According to Williamson and Redish (2009), “educational leaders are required to be more skilled in assessment and evaluation than their predecessors were. Technology facilitators and leaders are no exception (p. 77). Through this chapter I have learned a lot and the knowledge gained from this chapter must be in the front of my mind as I prepare lessons for my students. Assessment and evaluation of students has changed so much because of the growth of technology. Students are expected to know things earlier now and be able to use technology effectively. This new information has opened my eyes and made me realize I need to be on top of my game and make sure students are getting the most out of my class. Some of this information I knew through different professional developments my district sent me to and have been presented at our school. Combining that information with what I already know and do has help me to better prepare my students for assessments and evaluations. Technology can be used to help evaluate student performance in different situations and it will help the teacher understand what needs improvement. Using old and new information I was able to make sure the field-based activities were effective and useful to me to change things I might have been doing incorrectly.
 * TF/TL Standard IV: Assessment and Evaluation **

According to Parsley, Dean, & Miller (2006), “data can help us answer questions about a variety of schooling topics, but using data to answer questions from broad to specific can be overwhelming” (p. 40). When looking at the state data and measuring campus performance it may look overwhelming, but if you break it down you can use it effectively. Though different activities throughout this program I was able to learned a little more about what my campus is doing right and what we need to improve on, which helped with my field-based activities. Through the course of this program and after reading this chapter I was assess and evaluate my students, but I was also able to make an assessment and evaluation of myself and it gave me insights on how to make my classroom run better and more effectively. This really helped make sure the field-based activities were working and had an impact I could learn from. In talking with colleagues in this program and in my school I was able to gain different ideas on how to assess and evaluate my students, my classroom practices, and myself to make sure all aspects were at peak performance. They had ideas I would never have thought of would work, but it turned out for the best for my classroom and activities.

Getting the data and then knowing what to do with it is something as a lifelong learner I need to be able to continue to grow on and make sure I am using the information effectively. According to Ronka, Lachat, Slaughter, and Meltzer (2008), they talk about the richness of the data, but educators not being able to know what to do with all of it. If we as educators do not know what to do with the information we gather then we will not be able to effect change on our students lives. Through this program and the field-based activities I was able to learn how to break down what the data is saying and it gave me a new perspective on the data allowing me to effect change in my classroom and help my students. I was able to share this with my colleagues through discussion and trainings, so they too could share in this knowledge. Yes data can be overwhelming, but if you know what to look for and how to use the data you can effect change in the classroom and on the campus. Challenges I think are worth looking into in the future are what new ways will we have to evaluate and assess students, should students assess and evaluate their teachers, and what will the evaluation and assessment process look like in the future.

** Reference ** Parsley, D., Dean, C., & Miller, K. (2006). Selecting the right data. //Principal Leadership, 7//(2), 38-42.

Ronka, D.,Lachat, M.A., Slaughter, R., Meltzer, J. (2008). Answering the Questions That Count. // Educational Leadership, 66(4), 18-24. //

Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE's technology facilitation and leadership standards: what every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eugene, Or: International Society for Technology in Education.

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