Went to a seminar on how technology is changing the way we learn today. Interesting. But one proposal he made has caused me more thought than most: the idea of open-phone tests for students.
The speaker (Marc Prensky) encourages teachers to allow open-phone tests where kids can use their cell phones to call people and get answers. They can have someone tell them the answer or google it. And if the student's phone is linked to the Internet, he/she can google it themselves! Oh, and if you can't get a hold of anyone outside the class -- just call the kid next to you and see if he has the answer.
I was really with him when it came to allowing and encouraging students to use technology and collaboration to learn. And I agree that projects and activities are often the best way to assess whether a student truly understands and has learned something. But there are some things that we need to know for ourselves. It's not about being able to FIND the answer -- it's about KNOWING it. And if you are taking a test to measure what YOU know, I don't think you should be using technology to "cheat." I mean, why make the students fill out individual tests if they are really collaborating to complete it?
But if you do accept that being able to find the answer is as good as knowing it, then why limit students to cell phones? Why not allow students to use ANY resource -- iPods, computers, books, etc.?
I guess I just think that collaborative test-taking takes the concept a little too far.
If you want to know more about Mr. Prensky's thoughts, check out his web site.
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2 comments:
I just finished reading another of the blogs from our class just before I read your comments. You many want to give Jeff's blog about shift happens a view. It is interesting to see how this class is sparking reflection from all of us about the future generations and their learning powers.
We may need to figure out how we are going to stay connected after this class is over to see what parts of the change process sticks for each of us.
The dilemma here is between testing students on what they know and allowing students to learn even during a test session. I guess one way to better balance the two would be to limit the time allowed on the test to just enough hours and minutes that only a student who has a good grasp of the material can finish it on time. It usually takes longer to call up someone, explain the question to them, google it up etc. than it takes to jot it down out of memory/understanding. So by carefully limiting the time allowed you are giving the students the liberty of calling people/googling for answers yet encouraging personal understanding of the material that allows them to finish in time.
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