6.3 Reflection: Technology and Assessment

     In my discussions with other teachers regarding assessment and technology, the ominous spectre that seems to always intrude into the conversation is, "How are you going to prevent the students from cheating?" There are many tools on the internet that assist teachers with creating online assessments with various answer options (including multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, etc...). Quizlet, Infuse Learning, and Haiku LMS are just a few of the numerous online tools that allow teachers to create online formative and even summative assessments. The convenience these tools afford teachers and students alike go without saying. Who wouldn't go for having all your grading done in a matter of seconds? 
     But back to the elephant in the room. Mr. 'Smith' retorts, "If my students are using their Chromebooks to take my midterm benchmark, what's to stop them from going on Google and looking up the answer? Or worse yet, opening up a chat to give each other the answers?" He's got a point. What is to stop them? There is computer monitoring software like Lanschool, that allow teachers to electronically 'spy' on and commandeer wayward users. Then of course, there's the good old fashioned standing at the back and scanning the room with your own two eyes.
     Here's an idea: what if we just change the paradigm? Does a multiple choice assessment really stand up as a thorough accounting of one's knowledge and their ability to apply it to novel situations? Of course not! This form of assessment was lazy instructional practice from the beginning, and I'm willing to bet, has never produced one shred of authentic, meaningful learning. What is needed is a committed shift to project-based assessment. When a student is applying his knowledge to solving a real-world problem and is creating a meaningful and worthwhile product, real learning is taking place. In a project based assessment, use of the internet is encouraged. Collaboration and chat between students are encouraged. This is the way it should be. This is the way it must be.