Chapter 10 Response

Assessment Activites are used by educators and others within the scope of the school setting) to gather information about a student's performance. Teachers use a variety of assessment methods to gather information from hands on activities, to written tests, to computer based surveys or other activities. Teachers can use these to assess where the child is at whether it be developmentally, socially, or perhaps even in other areas. Teachers use assessment tools on a regular basis to check for understanding and progress from their students so they may teach in a way that offers the best techniques for the students. Not all students in a classroom will be on the same level, and teachers use asssessment to address this issue. When the teacher is able to assess where his or her students are at in a particular subject, they are also then able to make changes necessarry to better the lesson for all of the students, and to make plans to get other students to where they need to be.

An e-portfolio is essentially the same as a traditional portfolio, but it has been put online and is able to be more interactive and showcase more areas. Unlike the traditional portfolio which only shows paper displays and photographs, an e portfolio "may include video clips, graphics, sound, writing samples, artwork, and multimedia presentations," ( Jonassen). Teachers who use e portfolios are able to showcase more of their work and their skills, and essentially more of their accomplishments and qualifications as well. In much the same way, students can create their own portfolios to show their work off. Student portfolios do not necessarilly show their accomplishments, they may show off their skills by putting together portfolios to showcase different areas and subject topics. Teachers and students will both continue to benefit from the use of e portfolios as they become more a part of the classroom.

Overall, e portfolios are just one of the many ways technology is being readily incorporated into the classroom. In the same way that teachers are able to use technology to do anything from set up an e portfolio to showcase their skill and qualifications to create interactive lesson plans and projects, their students are benefitting from them as well. Technology is always evolving and it is important that we change with it. As educators we will continue to benefit from incorporating technology into our classrooms, and our students will reap the rewards just the same.

Citation: Jonassen, David, and Jane Howland. Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper
     Sadler River, New Jersey: Pearson, 2008. Print. Pg 218-222