May 29, 2013
10 Factors to Consider in Tech Report Cards
It used to be simple to post grades. Add up the test scores and see what the student earned. Very defensible. Everyone understood.
It’s not that easy anymore, especially in technology. Here are all the factors I take into consideration when I’m posting grades:
- Does s/he remember skills from prior lessons as they complete current lessons?
- Does s/he show evidence of learning by using tech knowledge in classroom or home?
- Does s/he participate during class discussions?
- Does s/he complete class goals?
- Does s/he save to their network folder?
- Does s/he try to solve tech problems themselves before asking for teacher help?
- Does s/he use core classroom knowledge (i.e., writing conventions) in tech projects?
- Does s/he work well in groups?
- Does s/he use the internet safely (we focus on digital citizenship)?
- Does s/he [whichever Common Core Standard is being pursued by the use of technology. It may be ‘able to identify shapes’ in first grade or ‘able to use technology to add audio’ in fourth grade]
- Does s/he display creativity, critical thinking in the achievement of goals?
- Has student progressed at keyboarding skills?
- Anecdotal observation of their learning (this is subjective and enables me to grade students based on effort)
- Grades on tests, quizzes, projects
What do you use that I haven’t mentioned? I’m already thinking ahead to the next grading period.
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor of a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and creator of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. She is webmaster for six blogs, CSG Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, Cisco guest blogger, a columnist for Examiner.com, featured blogger for Technology in Education, IMS tech expert, and a monthly contributor to TeachHUB. Currently, she’s editing a techno-thriller that should be out to publishers next summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.
