PLE Zen Den
April 11-15, 2016
Do you get it?
How many times have you asked your students that question? "Do you get it? Can I move on? Any questions? Everyone good?" The responses are usually the same: some nods, blank stares, and maybe some responses from the vocal few.
So how do you know what the students know? How do you know if the quiet kid in the back of the room gets it? What if they don't speak up? What if they always say they get it, but their summative assessments tell a different story? What if the scores on the unit tests are a surprise? You think they're rocking & rolling with the material, but the scores come back, and they're not what you'd hoped?
We've all been there at one point or another but here's lesson I had to learn as a new teacher: every day when my students leave my room, I should know how well they all understood the material. Yes, this is a lofty goal but we have access to great formative assessment tools.
- Amplify Classroom Tools (short answer, discussion, etc.)
- Canvas Tools (discussion, quiz feature, etc.)
- Web 2.0 tools
Formative assessment can be technology or non-tech based. The beauty of using instructional technology sometimes is that it is always evolving. There is always a new, engaging way to gather whether or not students truly understand concepts. By changing it up, the novelty will aid in keeping students engaged. I'd like to share a few of my new and old favorites for you to try during our last month of tablet usage.
Quizizz
Pro tip: "Quizizz can run without me in the classroom, so I used it one day when I had a sub. I was able to monitor the students' progress from home!"
Plickers
Pro tip: "Plickers is fun to use, and the set up was a breeze! The cards work easily even from across a library!"
Quizalize
Pro tip: "The team option in Quizalize really taps into the competitive nature of my gifted and advanced students. They love a Quizalize quiz tossed in the mix periodically."
Let's work together!
IMPORTANT: IF YOU DID NOT ATTEND CANVAS TRAINING (above)...begin to backup any files on Amplify Playlist Builder. (PLB) It will NOT be accessible after May 23. Make note of what worked for your organizationally speaking. If a particular playlist was the perfect match for a unit, organize it the same way in Canvas! Be sure to check out the video below. As always, view the PLEF Instructional Coaching Menu to pick from a variety of resources to help you and your students grow. Meet me in the spots designated on my schedule below if you need help with this.
- Monday: Allen
- Tuesday: Guilford
- Wednesday: WSA AM/Allen PM
- Thursday: Guilford
- Friday: WSA
For days I am on your specific campus, email me davist@gcsnc.com or tweet me @zenPLEF to set up a time we can work together. Include your campus, room number, and preferred time.
Tamika M. Davis, MLS MS
Email: davist@gcsnc.com
Website: http://ple.gcsnc.com
Twitter: @zenPLEF