I watched an interesting video from teacher tube called 1620. The video opened with the number stating it is not just the year the pilgrims came to N.America. It is also the average number of paper/pencil tests the average student will take from grade 1 thru 12. The video actually did the math and calculated how many tests a student will take in elementary, middle and high school. Astonishing to say the least.
It then posed a very good question: Are the tests true assessments of what students can do? Are these paper/pencil test the best way to assess what a student knows or is there a better way?
2008 - yes, it is the current year, but we know there is a better way to assess student's knowledge like authentic assessment and move beyond paper/pencil tests. We know we need to start testing them on ability versus wrote memory but yet we don't. Shame on us!
If you get a chance look up 1620 on teacher tube. Nothing we don't already know but nothing we are acting on.
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1 comment:
Heather,
Shame on us is right! Are we just too held back by government and administration or are we scared to venture into new methods and techniques? I for one think the government and NCLB have a lot to do with the over use of paper and pencil tests.
Jen
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