Feedback/forward using Technology Arguably our students are more "tech-savvy" and better prepared to use the tools designed to support learning, while preparing them for higher education and a future career. With this in mind, if the technology is changing, then maybe our methodologies and approach to feedback and assessment need to keep up. Do students learn from written comments? Do they even read them? What needs to change to make comments multi-modal? With great technology comes great responsibility! The introduction of The ISTE Standards for Teachers and Administrators (2017), means that teachers and administrators have a responsibility (and an opportunity) to engage and connect with their students, as digital technology continues to develop, on a level befitting; such specification enhancements and ease of access. So why is it we plump for stamps in books, comments in the margin and red pen?! How can TPACK help me with this approach? Technology, pedagogy and content knowledge (2006) as they intersect to produce the understanding needed to use technological tools well in the classroom offers a productive approach to many of the 'frustrations' that teachers face. So what about comments, feedback and assessment? Could it work? Now, it is widely accepted that teachers are most effective when they develop skills in using technology. In my current role, I work with teachers and administrators so they can support better teaching and learning, by developing such skills. However, it depends on how such skills are used, and this is where a shift is needed in pedagogy, which is why The ISTE Standards and TPACK are great starting points. I'm interested to hear: Are you using them or maybe something else? I'd love to hear from you. How does this all fit with assessment and feedback? As Roediger, McDaniel and Brown (2014) said, frequent low-stakes tests are effective at helping with learning because frequent retrieval practice helps students commit something to memory more permanently. And, this got me thinking. How can we incorporate technology tools to facilitate the inclusion of frequent retrieval practice opportunities in our classrooms.
Take for example the writing process. As a mentor for the PYP Exhibition, I can work with students, to edit their essays. Remove technology for just a second, and this valuable drafting and redrafting process would take days to achieve. Bring IT back, and it can be accomplished within hours. I talk so much about using technology smarter to make things easier. Would you agree technology makes things less 'hard' and frees up time in the long run? I'd love to hear your answers to anything of the questions I've posted and finish with What are your experiences with technology (e.g. video and audio) to facilitate the feedback and assessment process? Looking forward to hearing from you all. David References
Roediger HL, McDaniel MA and Brown PC (2014) Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press.
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