Assessment is a common aspect of each and every classroom. In the twenty-first century classroom, assessment for learning is essential to ensure that students are mastering key skills. The video, Assessment for Learning (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. , points out key strategies that can be employed in the classroom in order to ensure student success. After watching the video, share your thoughts on the structures and strategies a teacher needs to put into place in order to ensure that an effective classroom environment is created to foster twenty first century learning. Choose one of the following digital tools to enhance your written response ( Smore (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. , Prezi (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. , PowToon (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. , Sliderocket (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. , Screencast-O-matic (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. , or other presentation software). Utilizing technology in this discussion will further prepare you for the Final Project in Week 6. Address and include the following: Key strategies from the video Your own ideas about both formative and summative assessments How both sets of ideas could be implemented to create an effective classroom environment Be sure to include examples to illustrate and support your ideas. Professor: We speak a great deal about assessment and accountability and how each has an integral role in student achievement. Yet, many are still left with the feeling our current level of testing is too rigid, too demanding, not differentiated.........basically a whole bunch of phrases which leaves many with the feeling the current assessments used in schools do not provide the "whole picture". The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (2007) suggests, "While the current assessment landscape is replete with assessments that measure knowledge of core content areas such as language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, there are a comparative lack of assessments and analyses focused on 21st century skills" (p. 1). Using either the article or your own thoughts and reflections, how should teachers assess 21st Century Learning Skills? 21st Century Skills Assessment (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Reference: Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2007). 21st century skills assessment. Retrieved by http://www.p21.org/storage/documents/21st_Century_Skills_Assessment_e-paper.pdf Designing effective lessons Without question, one of the key points that make a class successful is having lessons that are engaging and effective. Creating these types of lessons does not happen overnight; planning requires time, focus and a careful eye to ensuring that the needs of each student are met. So, how does a teacher create a rigorous curriculum plan that leads to improved student perfo ...