Formative Assessment Made Easy
Using Technology as a Formative Assessment Tool
What is Formative Assessment?
- It is used to improve learning and achievement.
- It is carried out while learning is in progress.
- It is focused on the learning process and the learning progress.
- It is an integral part of the teaching-learning cycle.
- It is used to provide information on what and how to improve.
Observation
Exit Slips
Questioning
So how can I use technology to formatively assess my students?
Socrative
Students will join a room number that is provided by the teacher. Teachers can create quizzes, exit tickets, ask quick questions, and engage students in a competitive space race.
Students and teachers log in at: www.socrative.com
InfuseLearning
This site allows a wide variety of assessment types, including the traditional multiple choice and true/false. You can also have students draw their responses, sort a sequence of steps into the right answer, provide an open ended text answer, answer numerically, or even choose from a Likert scale (answers range from 1-5)
Students and teachers will log in at: www.infuselearning.com
Kahoot
Teachers can create free accounts at www.getkahoot.com. From there, teachers can create their own Kahoots or search from public Kahoots. If teachers find one they like, they can mark it as a favorite for future use or edit to meet their own classroom needs.
Students will go to www.kahoot.it.com and log in using the pin that is generated on the screen.
Polldaddy
Polldaddy is a quick and easy way to create online polls, quizzes, and questions. Students can use smartphones, tables, and computers to provide their answers.
Teachers will log in at www.polldaddy.com
Teachers can create a quiz and email to the students or create a QR code for students to access and take the quiz.
Creating a Quick Response (QR) Code
Go to www.qrstuff.com. Enter the URL and download your QR code. Copy, email, or print your QR code. Make your codes then use any of the following ideas:
- Put a code outside your classroom door each day giving the bellringer assignment.
- Put codes around the room for a scavenger hunt activity.
- Use codes to jump to websites or app download pages.
- Make flashcards with QR code answers on the back to reveal the correct answer.
Getting a Great QR Reader
QR codes are everywhere these days - in stores, magazines, products, t-shirts, and even in classrooms! If you don't already have a QR code reader, try i-Nigma. It's fast, reliable, and free! It's good for four different platforms including iOS, Android, Blackberry, and Windows devices. You can right-click to save it then print it as needed.
More Great Online Tools!
Quizlet
Bingo Baker
Bingo Baker is a free website, but if you want to pay $9.99 for a lifetime membership, you won't have to remember what all the web addresses are for the Bingos you create.
Let's try one: www.bingobaker.com
Give Students Choices
Here are three examples of a project about President John F. Kennedy. The examples contain the same content, however, the information is presented in a different format in each project.