LESSON 17: ASSESSMENT IN A CONSTRUCTIVIST, TECHNOLOGY-SUPPORTED LEARNING

               In a technology-supported classroom, the students learn from and with technology. Technology is seen as a source of information that the students learn from in the same way the teacher, is also a source of information. The students master facts and concepts from technology and with the aid of technology. In a constructivist classroom, learning transcends memorization of facts. It also says that we or the students must go beyond memorization for tests and students should not study just for getting a higher grade or passing the exam. Through this, we can internalize the in depth meaning of a certain word in which we might use it in the future. We can also see the relevance of the facts and concepts to daily life to what we value and treasure in life. So then, this is what learning is from the eyes of the constructivist, then definitely, the pure memorization (sometimes without understanding) done for a mere recall test does not jibe with such belief.

               The assessment that would perfectly match to the constructivist’s thinking is the authentic assessment. Why authentic? It’s just because authentic assessment measures collective abilities – written and oral expression skills, analytical skills, and manipulative skills, creativity and ability to work collaboratively.