July 2005 — SETDA
Print this article | Email this articleClick here to receive your FREE subscription to T.H.E. Journal
A New Competitive Grant Model for Nevada
Validity of assessment was an important consideration in developing unit assessments. Researchers developed a standardized test blueprint for teacher-designed end-of-unit tests. Teachers were to create grade-level and standards-based test items at three cognitive levels: knowledge, conceptual understanding, and analysis/synthesis. The test development component raised our awareness of a general lack of assessment knowledge among many of the teachers. We set aside additional time to discuss and practice topics such as levels of the content and cognitive domains, item development, and threats to item validity. Teachers were very interested in this assessment training; one teacher even invited us to present additional assessment training for all the teachers at her school.
Cohort II teachers completed the project in May, and data analysis is currently underway. Classroom observations indicate that most teachers are using the technology as a regular part of their curriculum delivery. One teacher stated, "I'm glad I'm finished teaching my units because now I don't have to deprive the control group kids anymore. I can't imagine teaching without technology-I use it every day."
This type of research-based project will likely be expected by state and federal funding agencies in the near future. Development of the 2006-07 competitive request for application (RFA) is underway with a majority of the funding dedicated to classroom-level projects with strong testing and assessment components.
Mark Knudson, M.Ed., is the educational technologist for the Nevada Department of Education and the department's education liaison to the Nevada Commission on Educational Technology. He is also on the Board of Directors of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). He manages Nevada's state and federal technology funding, including the E-Rate program.
E-mail: mark@knudsons.us
Pamela Cantrell directs the Raggio Research Center for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Education in the College of Education, University of Nevada, Reno. She is also an assistant professor of science education. She works directly with teachers in numerous professional development projects designed to improve science education and increase student achievement.
E-mail: pamcan@unr.edu
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
