In addition to technology being a medium for learning, technology also adds significant value as unique assessment tools for communicating and guiding students along their learning path in ways not possible before.

First, effective technology uses have been found to increase the ability of students to achieve. If you want higher test scores, focus technology uses on higher thinking tasks.

Almost everyone is aware of the controversy surrounding high stakes standardized testing. While standardized testing is the primary and sometimes single indicator of success in most schools, the majority of standards - higher order thinking skills and complex tasks - identified as necessary to prepare student for the 21st Century cannot presently be measured on these types of tests. However, even though raising standardized test scores is not recommended as an explicit goal, emerging evidence is accumulating that students using technology for higher order thinking tasks DO score higher on basic skills tests.

Second, technology can support traditional student assessment in four ways: online grade books used to increase communication with students and parents in real time; test banks that support teachers in customizing for individual needs; electronic tests (and someday perhaps standardized tests) that provide immediate feedback loops of formative diagnosis that redirect learning tasks; and student information systems for continuous tracking and communicating student achievements.

Emerging evidence is accumulating that students using technology for higher order thinking tasks DO score higher on basic skills tests.

Third, technology also extends our ability to evaluate the growth and development of student abilities over time: using video reports for showing rather than telling about student successes; using electronic K-12 portfolios for revealing formative progress; creating digital student resumes for showcasing exemplar work; and engaging students along the way in organizing and reflecting on their own progress.

Finally, technology expands student’s ability to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. Student work produced with technology can be used to measure impact; organize staff development; increase lesson design skills; extend evaluation processes; and support students in becoming knowledge producers rather than consumers. For example, students were found to perform significantly better when composing essay tests on computers rather than using paper - pen. (Wellesley Public Schools/Boston College, 2000)

Another example is the ability to develop information products beyond text. The multi-media tools empower students to be skilled with multiple intelligences in demonstrating content knowledge and effective communication. To assess technology’s impact on student performance see Evaluating Student Computer-based Products (Page 25). This is a training resource for using the comprehensive set of evaluation tools and collaborative processes to measure the quality of student computer- based products. During a state-wide assessment initiative in Illinois, the assessment of student computer-based products, used like the collection of writing samples, gave significant information in determining school-wide successes / challenges in using technology for student achievement. The student scoring guides used were developed and field-tested by NCRTEC and Bernajean Porter Consulting as valid and reliable tools to measure both the student’s content communication and the craftsmanship of communication based on purpose and audience.