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News and Views on Computer Technologies for Assessing Learning Music software helps students identify own mistakes A computer program called SmartMusic is helping children learn to play instruments by accompanying them and pointing out mistakes. Some 91 Massachusetts schools have introduced the virtual lessons as part of their music classes » The Boston Globe (10/11) http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/iItQsLjACilyuAfCitiNlNKP?format=standar Computerized tests may better measure reasoning skills Critical problem-solving and information-analysis skills that cannot be easily measured on traditional pencil-and-paper exams may be revived through computerized tests, according to a National Center for Education Statistics report. However, widespread use of such exams may be hampered by insufficient infrastructure. » eSchool News (10/3) http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/iGhgsLjACighoofCitiNYWNY?format=standard Study: Educational software makes no significant difference Educational software has no significant impact on student performance, according to a long-awaited U.S. Department of Education study released Wednesday evening. Although embraced by many schools, no significant difference was found in test scores of 9,424 students whose teachers were randomly assigned to use one of 15 different software programs compared to those who used no software; industry officials attributed most of the problems to poor training and execution in classrooms. » The Washington Post (4/5) http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/gBociHvhqjpfwwCibuobQJNw » Education Week (free to SmartBrief subscribers) (4/4) http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/gBociHvhqjpfxECibuobpdWD British board launches online science exam A British exam board on Monday unveiled the first online General Certificate of Secondary Education exam for environmental and land-based science, with modern foreign languages likely to be the next subjects scheduled to switch to electronic assessment. The new science test will include a mix of multiple choice questions scored by computer and short answers reviewed by moderators. » The Guardian, London http://education.guardian.co.uk/gcses/story/0,,1891858,00.html Consultants recommend SAT go online  [ July 24, 2006 ] Consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton has suggested the College Board consider moving the SAT online to help avoid the kinds of scoring problems that plagued the administration of the college-entrance exam in October. Several states have dabbled with online testing to mixed success. » eSchool News (free registration) http://www.eschoolnews.org/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=6451 New software boosts quality of student essays   [ July 21, 2006 ] New Web-based programs, such as SAGrader and MY Access!, are using artificial intelligence and other tools to analyze college students' essays for such elements as strength of organization, content and language use. The programs' immediate feedback allows students to improve by revising and rewriting. » ABC News/PC Magazine http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ZDM/story?id=2220540 Student data pinpoint areas of weakness   [ July 17, 2006 ] Spurred by NCLB mandates to raise test scores, Arizona districts are buying data-analysis technology to help teachers tailor instruction to individual student needs. Arizona schools chief Tom Horne wants to get the state law changed so schools can also gather data on how well teachers are doing their job.   » Arizona Republic, Phoenix http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0717tracking0717.html Texas districts could offer state exam online   [ June 22, 2006 ] Some observers believe Texas' decision to give school districts the option to administer next spring's state exam online will save reams of paper and boost test security. Others, however, argue that cheating will persist, since wily students can probably figure out how to hack into the test company's server or browse the Web for answers while they take the test. » Dallas Morning News (free registration) http://www.dallasnews.coml E-portfolios  [ March 1, 2006 ] E-portfolios have moved from places for students to store their work to one which does so in a manner that encourages them to reflect on their learning. From another point of view the E-portfolio is a structured system that permits the student to display evidence for meeting the requirements of a course or learning sequence. Yet another view places the UK Department of Education has set out 6 priorities: an online information service for all citizens; an integrated online personal support for children and learners; a collaborative approach to personalized learning activities; a good quality ICT training a support package for practitioners; a leadership and development package for organizational capability in ICT; and a common digital infrastructure to support transformation and reform. These priorities will address 4 goals: transform teaching, learning and help, to improve outcomes for children and young people; engage 'hard to reach' learners, with special needs support, more motivating ways of learning, and more choice about how and where to learn; build an open accessible system, with more information and services online for parents and carers, children, young people, adult learners and employers; Achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness, with online research, access to shared ideas and lessons plans, improved systems and processes in children's services, shared procurement and easier administration. Full text at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/e-strategy/docs/e-strategy.pdf Personal Learning Environment  [ March 1, 2006 ] While there is much that is freeing about the Personal Learning Environment (PLE), the contexts are very diverse. Terry Anderson of Athabasca University http://terrya.edublogs.org/2005/11/28/hello-world/ notes that "in formal education these contexts are created by the course designers or teachers and are nurtured by teacher, tutors and learners. They are also created by system architects in their design of social spaces, opportunities and support for planned and spontaneous conversation and opportunities for sharing and self disclosure." Within the K-19 system there is a vast range of social and intellectual maturity. Anderson goes on to say "the challenge is to recognize which components of the learner's life should be situated in their individual web space and those that should be running in the space of the formal educational institution." Anderson has more to say about the differences of PLEs and LMS (Learning Management Systems) at http://terrya.edublogs.org/2006/01/09/ples-versus-lms-are-ples-ready-for-pri me-time/ Assessment, Communication, and Intervention  [ November 15, 2005 ] The latest issue of Curriculum*Technology Quarterly examines the use of online testing, which if linked to the standards, can enhance analysis of the results and assist educators in tailoring timely interventions to bridge students' gaps in knowledge and meet individual academic needs. » Curriculum*Technology Quarterly (Fall 2005) http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/yavQzloAjdAPKGki Paperless Tech Retooling the Nature of Learning [ October 24, 2005 ] The Tablet PC, used to digitize handwritten text, and PaperFree, a video-based assessment system, could be dramatically changing the way British students learn. Such student-centered paperless systems, says tech reporter Kim Thomas, are transforming lesson pacing, personalizing learning and giving students more control over their studies. » eGov monitor http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/3218 ETS School Performance and Student Achievement Suite [ September 23, 2005 ] Educational Testing Service has launched System 5, a customizable and comprehensive suite of K-12 products and services designed to improve school performance and student achievement. The suite is composed of five solutions for school improvement, professional development, data-driven decision making, instruction, and assessment. Schools and districts can purchase a complete solution to improve student achievement and school performance, or choose the products that fit their needs. ETS also plans to launch an assessment toolkit, teacher content training, and an online professional development management system in 2006. » Educational Testing Service http://www.ets.org/system5.html Bridges Signs SAT Test Preparation Agreement in Florida [ September 13, 2005 ] Bridges Transitions of Kelowna, a leading provider of career and educational planning solutions, announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Florida Department of Education and Wachovia Education Finance to provide every public high school with access to testGEAR for SAT. The Florida DOE currently provides all high schools and middle schools with Choices Planner and Choices CD and 150 middle schools with Career Futures. Bridges' testGEAR products assist students in improving test scores on U.S. college entrance exams such as the SAT, PSAT, ACT and High School State Exit Exams. testGEAR test prep provides every student the same advantage -- to be extremely prepared and demonstrate their true potential as they ready themselves for their post secondary educational experience. testGEAR online test prep courses offer students a personalized study plan based on a brief diagnostic test that strengthens content skills, introduces test-taking strategies and builds confidence with many short practice tests and full-length exams. » Bridges Transitions http://www.bridges.com/us/about/releases/b_news/2005/2k50913.htm Florida to Post State Exam Online [ August 17, 2005 ] Florida soon will release online last year's Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, the 10th-grade state exam, including the correct answers, although parents still won't have access to their child's individual responses. Legislation to release FCAT information to parents has repeatedly been introduced but has never passed. » Tallahassee Democrat (Florida) http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/12400760.htm UK Web site Allows Trend Analysis of Student Exam Results [ August 16, 2005 ] Tomorrow, British teachers in schools that have used Edexcel courses will be able to go online to see exactly how their students answered questions on the GCSEs, A-levels and other exams. » The Guardian (London) http://education.guardian.co.uk/alevels/story/0,16085,1549521,00.html NSF to Evaluate Technology's Impact in Math, Science [ June 2005 ] Leading research groups are planning to create a standard for evaluation how laptop and handheld computers are used in mathematics and science education. A $1.1 million dollar 3-year grant from NSF will be used to fund this undertaking. Its ultimate goal is to advance the idea of one-to-one computing. Andy Zucker, principal investigator for the Ubiquitous Computing Evaluation Consortium claims that as more schools integrate one-to-one computing into the classroom, it becomes increasingly important to determine how the devices are being used, how ubiquitous computing changes the learning experience, and how teachers best can integrate available technology into their curricula. A standard framework for research will enable evaluators, policy makers, and educators to compare and tally the outcome of various studies more accurately. » Ubiquitous Computing Evaluation Consortium - http://ubiqcomputing.org » SRI International - http://www.sri.com » Metiri Group - http://www.metiri.com » Center for Children and Technology - http://www2.edc.org/CCT Kentucky Joins States Implementing Computer-Based Assessment [ June 2005 ] This spring Kentucky joined the growing number of states that have implemented computer-based testing of students. A pilot program offered online testing to more than 3000 students in more than 30 high schools across the state. It involved select students in Grade 10 reading and Grade 11 social studies. These students took the tests on computers while the rest of the students continued with paper-and-pencil tests. It was reported by Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit that the ultimate goal is to put all of the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System, or CATS, online. Further, Gov. Ernie Fletcher has said he wants to use technology to track student progress yearly. » Kentucky Department of Education - http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Default.htm » Southern Regional Education Board - http://www.sreb.org Developing Digital Student Portfolios [Accessed February 10, 2005 ] The Riverside School Board in St. Lambert, Quebec maintains a useful and well-designed site for the development and use of digital portfolios to assess and track student performance. Included in the information provided is a portfolio start up list with the following components: making a place for portfolios in your classroom, introducing portfolios to your students, establishing criteria, collecting, selecting, reflecting, evaluation, and celebration. The website includes the following features: tools and ideas, theory, teacher portfolios, electronic portfolios, and a bibliography. » http://www.qesnrecit.qc.ca/portfolio/eng/drp.htm New Test Gauges ICT Literacy The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has recently developed a new test designed to measure what it means to be literate in the digital age. ETS plans to market the test to colleges, secondary schools, and businesses that want to evaluate students' and potential employees' ability to navigate and evaluate internet-age information. According to ETS, the test measures a student's ability to define, access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create, and communicate information in a technological environment. "Educators needed to determine that their students had the ability to manage and process information through technology, interpret, then communicate it in way that is meaningful and accurate." said Tom Ewing, director of external communications for ETS. ETS plans to offer the exam for $25 per test-taker. » Educational Testing Service: http://www.ets.org Parents Can Track Students' Progress in Real Time With This Free Online Tool [ October 1, 2004 ] A new online resource is available for teachers who would like to involve parents more in the academic progress of their children. Engrade, allows teachers to post students' grades, upcoming assignments, and attendance records online. Among its features are the following: an automatic grade calculator, customizable grading scales, and weighted assignment categories that enable teachers to assign a relative value to tests, class work, and homework assignments against a percentage of students' final grades. With its e-mail feature, students and parents can choose to have incremental grade reports delivered on a weekly basis. All data are hosted on secure servers and password-protected. The program can be accessed free of charge by signing up for a private account and requires no installation. » Engrade: http://www.engrade.com Doing Job Interviews in Pyjamas [ January 16, 2005, The Province ] Online tests are being used by many companies for initial job interviews. In an article entitled Many applicants are doing job interviews in their pyjamas, it was reported that a growing number of companies have taken online recruiting to a new level by using online personality quizzes and virtual job tryouts to help trim the time and cost of hiring and even promoting employees. "It's a very valuable tool ... Because it really helps organizations make solid decisions in who they hire and promote," said Dan Lhota, vice-president for human resources at Titan America. U.S. Department of Education Releases a New National Technology Education Plan [ January 7, 2005 ] The U.S. Department of Education issued a press release to announce released a report entitled Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, the Law and Today's Students are Revolutionizing Expectation. The report focuses on signs of progress in core subjects, benefits from reforms stimulated by the No Child Left Behind Act, and the success of innovative new approaches to learning through advances in educational technology. Among the issues addressed in the report are the following: where we are today, improving achievement through student data management, the explosion in E-learning and virtual schools, the impact of No Child Left Behind, and a National Education Technology Plan. » The National Technology Education Plan: http://www.ed.gov/technology/plan Literature Review of E-Assessment [ Accessed Febuary 2005 ] A compelling argument is provided by the authors for the central role of assessment in shaping educational practice. Challenges and opportunities posed by the changing global world around us, and the potential role of technologies in our assessment practices are outlined in the report. The review is both optimistic and practical, it summarises existing research and emergent practice, and provides a blueprint for thinking about the risks and potential that awaits us in this area. » http://www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/10_13.htm 2004 Corporate Partners [ Accessed February 2005 ] The Council of Chief State School Officers engaged the business community by developing a corporate sponsorship program for interested partners. » Available at: http://www.ccsso.org/about_the_council/partnerships/4956.cfm The following companies, involved with technology learning and student assessment, agreed to become part of the program: » CELT Corporation: http://www.celtcorp.com » Data Recognition Corporation; http://www.datarecognitioncorp.com » PLATO Learning, Inc.: http://www.plato.com » I CAN Learn Education System: http://www.icanlearn.com » CTB/McGraw-Hill: http://www.ctb.com » IBM: http://www.ibm.com/education » Texas Instruments, Compass Learning: http://www.ti.com » Harcourt Assessment, Inc., Pearson Education: http://www.HarcourtAssessment.com » Wireless Generation: http://www.wirelessgeneration.com Writing Tips Online for 2 Northern Kentucky Schools [ October 7, 2004, The Cincinnati Enquirer ] In two Northern Kentucky school districts, computers are being used to scan student writing and offer automated criticism. They are using a software program called Criterion to provide students with feedback on grammar, usage, spelling and style. It was found that Criterion helps teachers juggle classroom duties while working one-on-one with some students, while others can run their papers through the service. » http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/10/07/loc_loc3essays.html » Return to Top   » Next: About the TASA Institute: Mandate and Staff