#Edchat Weekly Roundup: Using Technology to Demonstrate Growth in the Classroom

This week's #edchat focused on how we can better-implement educational technology to document growth in both students and teachers. The 12pm ET topic discussed how we can use digital portfolios and/or other e-learning tools to document student growth and achievement in a more valuable way. The evening's conversation at 7pm ET questioned whether ideas discussed within PLNs (professional learning networks) and online communities of educators were really making waves in the educational space, or if we're just a "like-minded minority."?

With the rise of technology and a push towards more "authentic" forms of learning/assessment, is it time for education to shift away from stagnant letter grades? See below for participants thoughts on the 12pm ET conversation:

If grades are an indication of potential, wouldn't portfolios be a proof of potential? Should we adopt portfolios over grades?

Digital portfolios can show growth of student through the years. Easy to maintain than paper. #edchat

— Jerry Blumengarten (@cybraryman1) February 25, 2014

Do you think there should be standards for what is included in a portfolio? Or should this be creative expression for the student? #edchat

— USC Rossier (@USCTeacher) February 25, 2014

“Most students don’t really understand the marks they receive...”- https://t.co/flzq8tDGcI #edchat

— WGSI Summit (@wgsisummit) February 25, 2014

Portfolios are also an element of "student voice"--Student voice is so important and needs to be included in all we do. #edchat

— Sara Truebridge (@saratruebridge) February 25, 2014

Have internet/technology spaces made an impact on education reform, or is it just a medium for ed tech advocates to preach to their own choir? Read below to see the discussions brought up during the 7pm ET conversation:

Are ideas and contributions of connected educators making a difference in education, or is it an echo chamber of a like-minded minority?

Ideas & contributions of connected eds can not possibly exist in an echo chamber. They are shared through our students #edchat

— kstansberry (@kstansberry) February 26, 2014

Being connected does not mean "look at me and my followers on twitter" it means using digital mediums to impact teaching n learning #edchat

— Andrew P. Marcinek (@andycinek) February 26, 2014

Connected educators have 2 things in common, Education & technology. They are bound to have common beliefs in many areas. #Edchat

— Tom Whitby (@tomwhitby) February 26, 2014

I think many who are connected would agree it has changed them for the better professionally and personally. #Powerful #edchat

— Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) February 26, 2014

#Edchat Weekly Roundup Archive:

• 2/19/14 -- Importance of Student Voice
• 2/11/14 -- 21st Century Teaching Tools
• 2/4/14 -- Taking Care of our Teachers
• 1/29/14 -- Introducing #Edchat Weekly Roundup