Assessing a Technology Education

According to Jim Lengel's Article "Assess It," children are being taught the technology in school but are not being tested to see their retention of the material and concepts. Just like anything that is taught in school, the retention of the material learned is based on the production. If students are not required to connect these concepts with an assignment then they may dismiss the information claiming that it "does not matter." This idea is reinforced by the lack of grades administered based on technology proficiency. Lengel describes a three pronged system that encompasses "day to day assessment in the classroom, a structured online portfolio for every student and comparable standardized tests." I believe this is key; first of all, a daily assessment will make the ideas and themes ingrained in the students memory and will prove how pertinent these themes are to the everyday learning of the students. A structured online portfolio will connect the concepts taught with a collection of the students individual accomplishments and goals. Most importantly, a standardize test will emphasize the significance of technology by forcing students to have a strong grasp of it before entering upper education. Students must take SATs and ACTs and Regents exams in English, math, science, and other subjects in order to get into college but there has not been a standardized test on Technology. This seems crazy because the majority of work done in college is done online. In many cases, classes are only offered online and the proficiency in technology makes many things simplified. The emphasis of Technology in the lives of school aged students will benefit their future individually as well as the future of the world as a whole.