Lesson 17 Assessment in a Constructivist, Technology-Supported Learning

              ASSESSMENT IN A CONSTRUCTIVIST TECHNOLOGY- SUPPORTED LEARNING

              From the word to assess, it means to support or guide learner's understanding in order for it to enhance. Constructivists suggest that learning is more effective when a student is actively engaged in the learning process rather than attempting to receive knowledge passively. Constructivism and technology work together in order to produce a productive learning.
Therefore, in order to have an effective learning,the teacher should assess the students to understand the lesson actively and attentively with a collaboration of a technology that suits to the lesson and would also help to enhance the knowledge of the learners to become an active participant in the class discussion. 

The teacher should also use objectives and motivation that will suits to the learner's needs and interests because everything will be useless if the students would not understand everything that a teacher discuss in front. The teacher should consider that one of the important element in the teaching process is the learner.
         Similarities and Differences Between Constructivist and Traditional Assessment

Similarities

• ·         Both types of assessment can take on a variety of formats: paper and pencil, physical hands on experience, or some type of exchange.
• ·         The phrasing and use of critical thinking terminology in questioning can also be similar.
• ·         Instructors in traditional classroom also use assessments in order to plan lessons and develop activities.

Differences

• ·         Responses to traditional questions will also require more than a 'yes' or 'no' answer. However, the idea that interactive feedback occurs between evaluators and learners as well as the concept of judging the active construction of thinking as well as the outcome are greater priorities to the constructivist assessor than a traditional method of evaluation.
• ·         Another difference lies in the support of standardized testing. Traditional learning environments support standardized testing and make many educational decisions off of those scores. Constructivists have a very negative view of this particular testing vehicle. Constructivists prefer that assessments have more of a 'real-life' application. The types of assessment preferred by constructivists would be: authentic, performance, or portfolio assessment. These types of assessment, according to Reeves & Okey, require more genuine thought from the learner and provide a more stimulating form of evaluation than traditional classroom testing.