Curriculum and assessment
New forms of curriculum—whether project-based, personalized, or competency driven—require new tools to access, customize, and assess progress for each student.
Students in blended learning conditions exceed students in traditional classroom environments. However, simply implementing technology into blended learning conditions will not necessarily effect positive results. Schools must continually ensure their pedagogical beliefs align with their technological efforts, especially in priority areas like STEM.
Education content, curriculum, and assessment for learning must be student-centered, relevant, authentic, constructive, and interdisciplinary. They should include innovation, creativity, and 21st century skills through deep learning. Content must be digital and shared widely.
There are two clear roles for the use of technology in content, curriculum, and assessment. First, content, curriculum, and assessment should provide authentic, real-world learning that is sufficiently challenging, promotes ownership and collaboration, and provides for creativity and artifact production that is theoretically sound. Research consistently finds evidence that technology can support educators in effective integration of curricula and assessment in classrooms.
A second role for technology relates to the actual content being delivered. Digital technologies help reshape our expectations of the curriculum that is being offered.
Resource: Bernard, R.M., Borokhovski, E., Schmid, R.F, Tamim, R.M., & Abrami, P.C. (2014). A meta-analysis of blended learning and technology use in higher education: From the general to the applied. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 26(1), 87-122
Students often learn by trial and error. Rather than making the test the outcome, schools can create an environment where assessment is part of the curriculum. Especially in priority areas like STEM, schools must continually ensure their pedagogical beliefs align with technological efforts.
According to the European Commission Survey of ICT in Schools, the most effective use of technology in education combines a strong infrastructure, a motivated educator, and a supportive environment.
Consider ways to leverage Microsoft Teams as a hub for learning in your school. School leaders can use Staff Teams with staff to facilitate professional development. Educators can use Class Teams with students to facilitate learning through project-based learning, personalized or competency driven activities, provide individualized support and feedback, and customize and assess progress for each student.
- How Microsoft Teams Supports Inclusive Remote Learning
- Students and teachers both benefit from digital tools
Assessment is an essential component of teaching and learning, and providing individualized feedback can significantly help students engage and stay motivated. Using Microsoft tools, educators can adapt their existing assessment strategies to work for remote learning and personalize feedback to keep students engaged.
Explore the resource page, Feedback and assessment tools for remote learning.
With your leadership team, develop a checklist of tools educators can use to assess student learning in place of or in addition to summative and high-stakes tests. Create a guide showing how Class Insights can show a more complete picture of student success.
Describe several instances in which you proactively sought feedback and then acted upon that feedback to improve. How do we instill that in our educators and students?