Peoples Top Picks is a new initiative that delivers insights on how educators across the country are addressing current hot topics in education.

What's new at Peoples Education!

Formative assessment at your fingertips!

• Text-to-speech features support lower grades and special-needs students
• Sequence of ongoing and straightforward reports that make data easily available
• State-customized item bank with thousands of items for creating assessments throughout the year
• Access to a library of precreated assessments for ease of use

 
Measuring Up MyQuest™
A student’s journey to standards mastery!  

• Automatic leveling provides each student with content appropriate to his/her skill level
• Embedded support materials deliver extra help where students need it most
• Content is organized by standards for a quick link to daily classroom activity
• Built-in rewards and incentives keep students motivated

Visit our Web site to learn more! http://www.measuringuplive.com/

Technology in the classroom

Today students stay connected any way possible, through communications, digital technology, media, or social networks. As more and more students become new users of Facebook or Twitter, how many are becoming new users of an online assessment and practice program? Schools are transitioning their classrooms into a digital learning environment, and although there may be some pros and cons to these decisions, it may be the new way to teach in the 21st century.


 
As we enter another year of the 21st century, things continue to change. Who would have thought that one day students would be taking state tests on computers and learning from electronic whiteboards instead of the old-fashioned blackboard with chalk? As we slowly transition away from the traditional way of teaching, we must realize that e-learning may not be for everyone.

We surveyed advisors, teachers, and principles to see their views of e-learning. Eighty-seven percent agreed that the pros of e-learning included:

• Students’ ability to learn independently in any time or place
• Its helpfulness in increasing student engagement, motivation, and attendance
• Development of computer and Internet skills that are transferable to learners’ lives

Eighty percent believed that the biggest disadvantage of e-learning is the loss of face-to-face communication and interaction between instructor and students.

Technology is transforming the way we teach, the way we learn, and even the way we test! Did you know that “states are transitioning to large-scale online assessment by 2014–15 that will be aligned with the Common Core State Standards”? Well, we wanted to know what you had to say! Here are the opinions of your colleagues.

“I don't think we should be limited to technology-based assessments only—just as I don't think we should be limited to pencil/paper assessments only. BOTH should be encouraged to catch the strengths of all students.”
—Lee Anne Brenner, 4th grade teacher, Katy Elementary, Katy, TX

“I feel the faster teachers can assess student learning, the more they can reach the needs of the students. One concern I have with using technology as the sole assessment is that e-assessment lacks hands-on and critical thinking skills that lab-based group work assessment can provide.”
—Matthew Miller, 4th grade teacher, Grace Miller Elementary School, Bonita Unified, La Verne, CA


Have something to say? Share it! Submit your own case studies and testimonials via our Web site by clicking on Share Your Success Story under the Community section. Get a chance to see your comments posted in the Peoples Education newsletter!

At Peoples Education, we continually seek input from educators at all levels to improve our partnership with schools and districts. Your opinion counts! Each month we will reach out to the education community for feedback on a specific topic. We will post what we learn in this newsletter and on our informative Facebook page. 

Join the conversation on Facebook and be heard!

See you next month!

Sincerely,

Peoples Education

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