By Paul Lawrence
I have a confession to make.
I taught for a long time before I really knew what the difference was between formative and summative assessments. For most of my time in the classroom, formative=quiz and summative=test. They were essentially the same thing except that quizzes were shorter, came before the test and could be popped if I wanted to get a groan from my class.
I graded quizzes and tests in pretty much the same way. I would collect them, take them home and then return them a class or two later. We would review them. I might point out an area where my students seemed to be struggling, but by then the unit plan had moved on past that particular point of instruction. I certainly didn’t grade quizzes mid-lesson and then adjust my teaching to address the misconceptions or complete lack of understanding in my students.
Then came my first interactive whiteboard training and my introduction to the student response system (SRS). The trainer said that the SRS was a game-changer because now you could assess your students mid-lesson without having to stop and hand-grade papers. The SRS would gather quick data and show you what students had learned and what they had missed. It would even guide your remediation by helping you to locate the students who were struggling— even if it appeared that every head was nodding when you asked, “Everybody got it?”. I realized immediately that I should be doing this, in some fashion, with every lesson I taught. And, with time, I did begin to use the SRS to check in with my students during instruction.
Back in those days you were a little restricted in your assessment types. The SRS that came with our whiteboards were strictly true/false and multiple choice. Today we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to technology based formative assessment. Here are three easy ways to get started using technology to formatively assess students in your classroom.
1. G Suite and the Google Classroom:
Create a quiz in Google Forms and watch as the data are compiled in front of you (here’s how!). Share it via your Google Classroom and you have a blended model that can highlight the areas of you lesson that you need to review.
2. Kahoot
Kahoot is a free online tool that allows students to respond to quizzes, discussions, or surveys using any device (laptop, tablet, phone, etc.) in a game-based format. Students race the clock—and each other—to earn points and show off what they know. Overall answers are projected on the board, allowing the teacher to easily do some whole group reteaching and remediation. It’s easy to set up and your students will love it.
3. Edulastic:
This one is also free. Edulastic really makes you look like you know what you’re doing by providing you with a question library that is aligned to state standards. You can create a targeted and meaningful formative assessment in minutes. Edulastic also allows you to create Technology Enhanced Items. Sync your account with Google Classroom and you have really stepped up you “Do Now” and “Exit Ticket” game.
Consistently using formative assessment just makes good sense and with the variety of technology resources available, it has never been easier to check in with your students about today’s lesson before you move on to tomorrow’s.
I have a confession to make.
I taught for a long time before I really knew what the difference was between formative and summative assessments. For most of my time in the classroom, formative=quiz and summative=test. They were essentially the same thing except that quizzes were shorter, came before the test and could be popped if I wanted to get a groan from my class.
I graded quizzes and tests in pretty much the same way. I would collect them, take them home and then return them a class or two later. We would review them. I might point out an area where my students seemed to be struggling, but by then the unit plan had moved on past that particular point of instruction. I certainly didn’t grade quizzes mid-lesson and then adjust my teaching to address the misconceptions or complete lack of understanding in my students.
Then came my first interactive whiteboard training and my introduction to the student response system (SRS). The trainer said that the SRS was a game-changer because now you could assess your students mid-lesson without having to stop and hand-grade papers. The SRS would gather quick data and show you what students had learned and what they had missed. It would even guide your remediation by helping you to locate the students who were struggling— even if it appeared that every head was nodding when you asked, “Everybody got it?”. I realized immediately that I should be doing this, in some fashion, with every lesson I taught. And, with time, I did begin to use the SRS to check in with my students during instruction.
Back in those days you were a little restricted in your assessment types. The SRS that came with our whiteboards were strictly true/false and multiple choice. Today we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to technology based formative assessment. Here are three easy ways to get started using technology to formatively assess students in your classroom.
1. G Suite and the Google Classroom:
Create a quiz in Google Forms and watch as the data are compiled in front of you (here’s how!). Share it via your Google Classroom and you have a blended model that can highlight the areas of you lesson that you need to review.
2. Kahoot
Kahoot is a free online tool that allows students to respond to quizzes, discussions, or surveys using any device (laptop, tablet, phone, etc.) in a game-based format. Students race the clock—and each other—to earn points and show off what they know. Overall answers are projected on the board, allowing the teacher to easily do some whole group reteaching and remediation. It’s easy to set up and your students will love it.
3. Edulastic:
This one is also free. Edulastic really makes you look like you know what you’re doing by providing you with a question library that is aligned to state standards. You can create a targeted and meaningful formative assessment in minutes. Edulastic also allows you to create Technology Enhanced Items. Sync your account with Google Classroom and you have really stepped up you “Do Now” and “Exit Ticket” game.
Consistently using formative assessment just makes good sense and with the variety of technology resources available, it has never been easier to check in with your students about today’s lesson before you move on to tomorrow’s.
Paul Lawrence is the Director of the Information Literacy Department for Hampton City Schools, Virginia. You can reach him at plawrence@hampton.k12.va.us
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