Carkenord Elementary School
Green Elementary School

At a local conference, I attended a presentation that showcased student work with WebBlender. Knowing the Big 6 research method and WebBlender both lend themselves to authentic assessment, I designed a project that had students take the information they gathered from the Big6 process and synthesize it in the form of a website.

Over the next six weeks, I worked with a fifth grade class during their fixed, biweekly library instruction time as well as additional times in collaboration with their classroom teacher. When I informed students their end product was going to be a web site they would create on their own, they immediately became excited. Combining the Big 6 Research process with student authored work in WebBlender, resulted in highly motivated and engaged learners.

Read about the process in Creative Educator!
http://www.thecreativeeducator.com/stories/current/information.html

Tech4Learning tools have forced me to become innovative in teaching the “everyday” curriculum items. I can’t remember the last time I ran copies of a worksheet for students to complete. Utilizing WebBlender to show comprehension of content makes copying a multiple choice test irrelevant. My students, across all grade levels, have grown leaps and bounds both in classroom curriculum, information literacy curriculum, creativity, and self-esteem.

Tech4Learning tools have helped me to reach unreachable students. Students who in the past could care less about the research process now can’t wait to get started, knowing that they are responsible for creating a unique end product. Because of the opportunities for creativity Tech4Learning products provide, students feel as though success is inevitable. How often is it students are allowed to choose the method by which they will demonstrate comprehension of content???

The at-risk students who struggled to retell a story using words now jump at the chance to do retellings utilizing Pixie. It’s so inspiring to see less than enthusiastic learners excited to begin a new project. The confidences these students have gained by being able participate the same way their average and gifted learner classmates are is irreplaceable.

I am a firm believer in authentic assessment. Far too often, our students are labeled “underachievers” because they are unable to successfully complete a multiple choice or fill in the blank the test. While many teachers realize all students do not synthesize information the same, many of those creating the guidelines by which our students’ achievement levels are determined, have not. I firmly believe all children have the potential to be enthusiastic learners. The key to unlocking these students lies within authentic assessment and opportunities for higher level thinking.

By making assessment relevant, and providing opportunities for creativity, students see the value and importance of what it is they’re learning and why they’re learning it. Through using technology as an authentic assessment piece, students have the ability to show understanding of content through drawing a picture, creating a website, or animating a movie. These students may not be prolific writers, however, present within this group of deficient writers are some of our most talented, creative, introspective children.

Currently, I’m working with a fifth grade student who reads at a pre-k level. His fifth grade class is working on writing fractured fairy tales. Originally, the student was provided an alternate assignment. However, rather than having this student not participate, we allowed him to utilize Pixie to illustrate a story and record his retelling verbally. This student came up with one of the most wonderfully creative illustrated versions of “The Three Dogs and the Big Bad Cat.” He was thrilled to be able to record his story, as well. He took so much pride in his project and was so thrilled to be doing something “cooler” than what the other students were doing. Tech4Learning made this “unreachable” child, the most reachable child and restored his confidence in the educational arena.

Not only have Tech4Learning products helped me reach unreachable students, but, unreachable staff as well. Those staff members who in the past, have been intimidated by technology, welcome the friendly interface of Tech4Learning products. Those staff members who were still displaying their field trip pictures on bulletin boards are now using WebBlender to create digital scrapbooks for students and parents! Often times, new technology overwhelms a staff; however, T4L products have had quite the opposite effect on staff members at my schools. Now, these self-labeled technophobes are taking the lead on numerous integration projects! A media specialist can’t ask for much more than to be in a building where staff members are excited and eager to learn about new technology!

My work with technology as an authentic assessment tool has provided me with several excellent opportunities. Recently, I was featured on our local access channel speaking about the use of WebBlender and the Big6 method in my school.

Watch the video ( click through the pages to reach Staff Spotlight)