TESTS! Do they really Work?

I work in the Media Center so I have not had to give or grade tests for which I am glad. I didn't like tests when I was in school and now as a Teacher, I don't like them but for different reasons. I think that there are just too many reasons that tests are not valid measurements for student learning. There are those who never look at a book who can ace every test and then there are others who study hard every night and can't get above a "C" and then there are those who know the information but when it comes to taking tests, they freeze up and can't remember anything. According to the "tests" the first set of students are "great", the second set are "average" and the last set "can't learn"; but is this really the case? I say not.
So why are we trying so hard to teach higher order thinking skills if we are only testing the bottom? I agree that there are times when tests are needed - for vocabulary, geography and mathematical equations for example, but Bloom's Taxonomy says remembering is the bottom while things like Analyze, Evaluate and Create are on the top and no test can grade these things.
As we move our students into the 21st Century Learning, I feel that we as teachers must move as well and put tests in their proper place We must once again step out of our comfort zone and take that step into the unknown, and develop alternative methods to properly guage how students are using their new skills. We must give up the idea that tests show us what students have learned and quit trying to judge them against each other and judge them on their own personal growth and allow them to celebrate their successes and learn from their failures without fear of ridicule or being labeled.

Technology-infused Classroom

Step into a technology infused classroom and what do you see? Well, in my Media Center you might see students listening to mp3 players with audio books or playaways (books preloaded), or maybe they are using digital cameras or computers and programs like moviemaker, animoto, or audacity. Maybe there is an author interview going on through skype, or maybe students are making avatars through voki to make a PSA. Website evaluations might be being looked at on a smart/promethean board. Students may be practicing their communication and keyboarding skills by emailing their epals. Document cameras and projectors are used together to show a passage in a book for discussion. Yes, everywhere you look technology is being manipulated by students to help them to be true, creative 21st century learners.