Using technology to assess student learning in the classroom, although not a new

technique, is an ever-changing ritual due to the constant development of new software and
upgrades to existing software. It is important to continually evaluate and refine the use of
technology-based classroom assessment activities to ensure they are achieving their intended
outcomes. (Salend, 2009, p.49). Determining which software to use for student assessments can
be a daunting task for teachers, administrators and district level employees. By using several
different types of assessment tools in the schools, teachers can collaborate, improve instruction,
differentiate instruction, analyze student retention of learned content and improve over all test
scores.
Technology to Facilitate Ongoing Efforts to Assess Student Learning
Technology can be a very powerful tool in classroom assessment if used correctly.
Computerized pre-test and post-test can be utilized in the classroom to compare different levels
of learning for each students and the classroom as a whole. Software such as Socrative allows
students to take quizzes on the computers, while Write to Learn allows students to improve
reading comprehension. A web based program, www.abc.mouse, allows the student to work at
an individual pace to achieve certain goals established by the classroom teacher. Like all types
of classroom assessment, technology based assessments can link instruction to both formative
and summative assessment. (Salend, 2009, p.49) By using these assessments, educators can
collect data which will allow the school to track the students progress both pre-test and post-test.



(ABC Mouse) Abcmouse.com is a web based program that allows teachers to assign
students certain tasks according to their specific grade level. Students would sign in and click on
the class roster to access their name. Student would click on name and be brought to their virtual
classroom to learn about shapes, numbers, colors and puzzles. After completion of each module,
the student can progress to the next level of learning. The teacher can review and print reports
that evaluate the progress of each student individually and also class results.
(Socrative) Socrative is a web based learning tool that can enhance classroom and
student assessment. Teachers engage and assess their students with educational activities
through the use of real time questioning, instant result aggregation and visualization. (Socrative,
n.d.) By creating quizzes and test, teachers can access a students weak area of study and provide
additional support to that student. Socrative can also inform students of the correct answer and
provide and answer sheet for the student. This particular program could be accessed from home
or school.
(Waterford Early Learning) Waterford Early Learning is a web based program that introduces
preschool children to the fundamentals of reading, phonically awareness, rhyming words and
recognition of sight words. With classrooms becoming more diverse every year, Waterford
Early Learning individualizes three years of complete Reading, Math, and Science to meet each
childs unique learning needs. (Waterford. n.d.) This program allows students to work at a self-
pace to learn and reinforce basic content being taught in the classroom.

(Formative and Summative Assessments)
Formative Assessment is form of evaluation designed to gather information about student
understanding and skill of content being taught so that decisions can be made about what and
how to teach next. (Webb, Metha, and Jordan, 2013,p.400) A Summative Assessment is often
used to assess the students knowledge level of the content being taught and is often used for
reporting purposes. Socrative can be used for both formative and summative assessment
purposes. ABC Mouse is used for summative assessments.
(Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Assessment) There are several pros and
cons that an educator might experience when using technology to facilitate assessment of student
learning. If the technology failed to work due to power failure or network trouble, this would be
a hindrance to the teacher. Some of the pros of using technology in the classroom are quick and
easy reporting for all students, immediate feedback from sites like Socrative and friendly reports
from Waterford and ABC Mouse. Using technology in the classroom for student assessment can
be a wonderful tool for measuring students ability of learned classroom content. However,
depending solely upon technology for classroom assessments can be a mistake during a cable
outage, thunder storm or other unforeseeable event. All assessments, formal and summative
should be kept in the students file for record keeping purposes. Assessments are great tools for
current and future classroom teachers who can use the technology to help students be successful.
The teacher should utilize several forms of assessments to evaluate the students progress
of the current classroom material. This will allow the teacher to be consistent with the results of
the evaluations.
What is the importance of assessment technology in connection with the ISTE standards?
According to the ISTE standards, teachers are responsible for providing authentic learning
experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize
content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the
Standards.(ISTE, 2008). Educators who use technology for assessment purposes in the
classroom can also customize and personalize learning activities to address students diverse
learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources (ISTE, 2008)


Concluding Paragraph for Software to Support Assessment
Using technology in the classroom for both formative and summative assessments are
beneficial to the students and the teacher. The student can review any material in which help is
needed and the teacher can provide assistance or reteach the material to help the student master
the goal. Technological assessments can be created and completed quickly and can enhance
student performance in schools nationwide.








References
ABCmouse: Kids Learning, Phonics, Educational Games, Preschool-Kindergarten Reading.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.abcmouse.com
ISTE Standards for Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/standards-
for-teachers
Salend, S. (2009). Technology-Based Classroom Assessments:Alternatives to
Testing.TEACHING Exceptional Children, 41(6), 48-58.
Socrative. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.socrative.com
Waterford Early Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.waterfordearlylearning.org/
Webb, L. D., Metha, A., & Jordan, K. F. (2013). Foundations of American Education(7th ed.).