Technologies could be wasted

Released 25/03/2009

Lack of analysis could be costing schools

A lack of cost benefit analysis in schools is leading to unnecessary implementations of expensive literacy and numeracy technologies, reports a recent white paper.

The report Reflections Regarding Assessment Reading and Maths Instruction in the US and England published by Renaissance Learning questions current literacy and numeracy assessment systems that overlook the need for daily and monthly assessments in schools.

A further finding of the paper was that the continuing downturn of the economy stresses the need for schools to carefully plan their budgets and expenditure through in-depth consideration of methodologies and technologies on the education market. The report outlines the fact that it is no longer acceptable to assume that the most expensive product is the best on the market.

With standards of literacy and numeracy levels in the UK constantly being questioned, educators must create an environment that offers students the opportunity to build on academic achievement through a broad use of vocabulary, fluency, different media and higher order thinking skills. It is paramount that academic strategies place students at the heart of learning in order for them to achieve to their utmost ability.

Dirk Foch, managing director of Renaissance Learning commented: "Cost effective computerised assessment programmes designed to produce continuous formative assessments, rather than single, high-stakes summative tests, improve teaching and reduce student anxiety. Unobtrusive and easy to implement daily and monthly assessments of literacy and numeracy are essential to ensure continued success at both primary and secondary level. This places students at the heart of learning, and rightly so.

"Combining low cost computerised assessment technology with best practice teaching, aids teachers' pedagogy skills and helps students to become better learners. An educational environment that promotes ‘perfect practice makes perfect' will result in successful academic achievements across the whole class, year groups and school."

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