Research Guides: Educational Assessment and Differentiation: Find websites

Google Search and alternatives

Although there are many search engines available, Google is the best known and one of the most accurate.

Bing
Bing is Microsoft's latest entry into the search engine market.
Dogpile
Powered by Metasearch technology, Dogpile searches different search engines, decides which are the most relevant to your search, eliminates duplicates and reveals them to you.
DuckDuckGo
A regular search engine that has an extraordinary privacy policy: not to collect or share any of your personal information.
Yahoo
One of the first sites that provided a means to search for information on the web, Yahoo! is a good starting point to begin your research.

Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom (AMLE)
A professional article providing an overview of formative and summative assessments in the classroom, published by the Association of Middle Level Education.
Section 1: What is Formative Assessment? (ASCD)
An exerpt from the book "Formative Assessment Strategies for Every Classroom: An ASCD Action Tool, 2nd Edition"
ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation
Promotes the best resources and provides balanced information concerning educational assessment, evaluation, and research methodology.
Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Testing/Assessment
Provides an overview of the Georgia Student Assessment Program and links to primary and former/retired assessments, and assessment resources.
CRESST (UCLA)
Conducts evidence-based research, provides tools, assessments, and report systems that improve assessment, evaluation, technology, and learning.

Being a 21st Century Educator (NEA)
Advice column from the National Education Association on tips for being a 21st Century Educator, including technology must-haves.
Building 21st Century Skills Through Technology (ASCD)
An overview of the book "Teaching the 4Cs with Technology" by Stephanie Smith Budhai and Laura McLaughlin Taddei, published by ASCD. Provides a nice introduction to the 4Cs to building 21st century skills through technology - critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Using technology to support at-risk students' learning (Report)
A report by the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education on technology approaches that have seen success in the retention of at-risk high school students. You can view the summary or download the full report.
How technology has influenced the 21st century learner (blog post) (Wentworth Institute of Technology)
An interesting blog post on educators needing to teach competencies and 21st-century skills besides teaching facts - and what a 21st-century teacher looks like.

Librarians in the US and from around the world recommend the CRAAP Test as it's applicable to all source types, and it's easy to remember!

Zoom into the "Take the CRAAP Test" infographic on the right and save a copy for yourself.

Alternatively, download a PDF at the end of this box.

The timeliness of the information

When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well? Are the links functional?

The importance of the information for your needs

Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

The source of the information

Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

The reason the information exists

What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
Is the information fact, opinion, or propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

"CRAAP Test" infographic and wording reproduced from UC San Diego Library, who adapted it from CSU Chicco