Using Technology in Self and Peer Reflective Assessment

Introduction: Challenges

Teachers’ beliefs about and perceptions of technology determine what technology will be introduced into educational environments and how that technology will be used. While much attention has been given to the use of technology in the delivery of instruction, not much has been paid to the use of technology to improve that instruction through the use of peer- and self- reflective assessment. Though technology offers new and different ways to improve the delivery of instruction, technology may still be underutilized by both pre-service and in-service teachers in key elements of teacher training. This chapter will discuss the use of technology for self- and peer-assessment of teaching and ways in which teachers can use technology as a tool to improve teaching. Self- and peer-assessment experiences will be included for pre-service instructors, in-service trainers, classroom teachers, and central and school administrators to use in evaluating classroom interactions.

The lead chapter authors are a university professor and a school district professional who share their perspectives and experiences with teachers. The third author, also a university professor, has used videotapes and audiotapes as training tools for professional development with early childhood teachers and shares perspectives from teachers as they worked through this process. The authors provide insight into the development of technology as tools for peer- and self- assessment with teachers, offer suggestions, and provide resources for teachers. In the first section we share what we know about teachers of young children and technology and what we know about how attitudes influence the understanding and use of tools in educational environments. In the next section we discuss the use of peer- and self-reflective assessment in schools and how technology can strengthen this process. In the final sections of this chapter we share applications from real teachers and their experiences in using technology in peer-and self -reflective assessment and current resources. There is much written about reflective practice and teachers. This chapter was developed to focus on the extension of reflective practice to peer-and self-assessment, skills vital for building a learning community that supports teacher and student outcomes.

Background: Early Childhood Teachers’ Attitudes And Acceptance Of Technology

There are few incentives to encourage teachers at all levels to use technology in general applications. In postsecondary settings, technology integration is not linked to tenure or promotion. In PK-12, technology use/expertise may be neither part of the hiring decision nor part of classroom evaluation procedures, and when used for evaluation, the expectations may be limited. The struggle to get a teacher to use technology is compounded when the teacher lacks interest in instructional technology, lacks skills in its use, or lacks the confidence to learn about it and try using it in the classroom. Doering, et al. (2003) found that pre-service teachers resisted using any technology that they did not fully understand. They were fearful because they were not expert with a tool that may challenge their view of their role in the classroom. Any or all of these dynamics may affect the classroom environment and ultimately affect students’ attitudes toward technology.