J. Christine Harmes

Innovative Items for Computerized Testing

As computer-based testing (CBT) becomes a dominant, if not the dominant,medium for delivering assessments, interest in the potential of innovative items has grown. Innovative items are those that make use of features and functions of the computer to deliver assessments that do things not easily done in traditional paper-and-pencil assessments.

Authentic Instruction in Laptop Classrooms: Sample Lessons that Integrate Type II Applications

Abstract Laptop computers and Type II applications can provide powerful tools for elementary classrooms, especially if they are combined with authentic instruction. This article provides information and lessons learned from a laptop initiative in an urban elementary school. The goal of the initiative was to develop lesson plans and document techniques that could be used to engage students in higher level thinking skills. Sample lessons are included to provide details related to the teachers role, hardware, software, and student outcomes.