I feel like I have had a good amount of experience using Web 2.0 tools in my personal life; however, for learning and/or teaching purposes I have not had much experience. I, of course, created a lesson last semester for the EDUC 311 course that involved the use of a Web 2.0 tool, but that is the only time that I have used one for teaching. I am currently in the process of writing a lesson plan that incorporates the use of a Web 2.0 tool, but I have not finished it or used it in the classroom yet. I am excited to begin using more internet tools, and just technology in general; I think that students enjoy it and learn more from interactive lessons.

So far, the only type of assessment that I have made use of is discussion. I like to ask the students what they know about a certain topic at the beginning of a lesson, and then I ask them again at the end of the lesson. By comparing the two sets of answers, I can determine what they have learned and what needs to be retaught. Also, one time, I used a short quiz at the end of a lesson to ascertain what they had gained from the activity. In the next few weeks, however, I plan to use two different types of assessment. The first will be a visual representation of a character analysis, and the other will be a persuasive blog. I am really excited about these two activities; I think they will give students a chance to do something different and interesting while using a medium that they already know how to operate (both activities will be completed on a computer).

Question: What are some types of assessment that you have used, and what did you like or dislike about them? Also, have you done anything that you consider fun or interesting that you think I should try?