Unit 3: Assessment Tools
Hello Learners and Welcome to Unit 3!
Look below for this unit's overview, learning objectives, activities, and assessments. Have fun and do not hesitate to contact me for help!
Overview
This unit will focus on digital assessment tools. Digital assessment tools are the new craze in the classroom and can be great for us educators who want some low prep time. Not to mention these digital assessment tools have features that can cater to all of our learners. Within this unit, you will be highlighting the benefits of digital formative assessments and summative assessments, as well as distinguishing the pros and cons of four assessment tools: Kahoot, Edpuzzle, Quizlet, and Poll Everywhere. Happy learning!
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit:
- Participants will be able to recognize the benefits of digital formative and summative assessments.
- Participants will be able to contrast the pros and cons of two assessment tools of choice.
- Participants will be able to construct slides 5 and 6 of their Teacher Toolbox.
Let's Begin!
Please complete this Course Check In
Lesson 1: Advantages of Digital Assessments
As we have seen, "There is no question that technology is changing education" (Miller, 2019). Evaluating student learning can now take place anytime, anywhere. Students are not just limited to a pen and paper to demonstrate their learning. There are advantages for both students and educators through the use of digital assessments. For students, digital assessments allow them opportunities to demonstrate their learning in a way that best meets their needs and learning styles. For educators, the prepping time to prepare assessments decreases and they are able to have student results immediately after taking assessments. Digital assessments have also proven to be beneficial to students with disabilities and English Language Learners as the possibilities within these tools are endless.
Read: 7 Advantages Digital Assessments have over Paper Tests and Exams
Factors to Consider when Selecting Online Assessment Tools
With the wide array of digital assessment tools available, educators must consider the students in their classrooms and their learning styles before implementing such tools. Luckily, there is flexibility through the use of online assessment tools that help educators best serve their students. Differentiation is an important aspect of any classroom and luckily most of these tools allow educators to implement differentiation. Assessment is what helps educators plan for future lessons and analyze student content mastery.
Read: Online Assessment Tools: 5 Major Benefits
3 Reasons to Go Digital for Formative Assessment
Activity:
Do: Read the articles linked above, and answer the questions in our Google Jamboard linked below.
Complete Slide 4 of your Teacher Toolbox Presentation using the Guideline.
Lesson 2: Digital Assessment Tools
In this lesson, we will explore Kahoot, Edpuzzle, Quizlet, and Polls Everywhere. Each of these tools can serve as both a formative and summative assessment.
Kahoot
Kahoot is an online learning platform that allows students to take an active role in their learning through play. It is a great way to evaluate student understanding of a topic using a quiz in a game aspect. Students can access Kahoot! on a computer, phone, or tablet with the code they are given. Students also have the opportunity to play together and answer the timed questions. After all students complete the question or time runs out educators have the choice to have the leaderboard appear where students can see how they are doing. Educators are also able to see a full report of student responses.
Click this link to access a video guide on Kahoot!
Read: Kahoot What Is It: Features, Advantages, Disadvantages, and FAQs This article gives insight into the pros and cons of Kahoot in the classroom.
Edpuzzle
Edpuzzle is an online learning platform in which students watch interactive video lessons with embedded questions that check for understanding. The videos available range in grade levels and topics, as well as being aligned to standards. Educators can also import videos of their choice and create their own questions. A great aspect of this tool is that educators have the choice to prevent students from skipping through the videos. This platform provides students with the use of visuals to aid in learning and allows students to work at their own pace. Students are given instant feedback after answering questions. Educators are able to assign all students the same video or send individual students different videos to help meet their needs. Educators do not have to worry about grading and are given instant analytics.
Click this link to access a video guide on Edpuzzle
Read: What is Edpuzzle and How Does It Work? This article gives more of an overview of Edpuzzle. Consider the pros and cons of this platform as you read.
Quizlet
Quizlet is an online platform that provides tools for studying and learning. This tool can serve as a pop quiz in your classroom. It is interactive in which students and educators can create, clone, or edit flashcard sets already created. There are various options for students to choose from to learn the same information in different ways. There are 7 styles that students can choose from these include flashcards, learn, spell, test, match, gravity, and live. Media can also be added which is a great addition to any online assessment tool. Quizlet offers an adapted aspect of learning in which the Learn mode uses previous data to make adaptive study plans and improve learning.
Click this link to access a video guide on Quizlet
Read: Pros & Cons of Using Quizlet in Your Classroom This article gives insight into the pros and cons of the use of Quizlet in the classroom.
Poll Everywhere
Poll Everywhere is an online learning platform in which educators check for student understanding. Educators are able to ask multiple-choice and open-ended questions to see how well students are doing with the material being taught. These polls allow the questions to be embedded live during slides and lectures. The feedback visible to the class is anonymous and so students are able to focus more on what is said and less on who said it. The feedback being present for students to see is a great aspect in which educators are able to spark discussions and tend to any misconceptions present. There is a great aspect of deep learning that takes place through the use of these polls.
Click this link to access a video guide on Poll Everywhere
Read: Polling Students to Check Understanding This article gives insight into the use of Poll Everywhere in the classroom and the benefits of its implementation. Consider the pros and cons of this platform as you read.
Activity:
Do: Read and watch the videos for each Online Assessment Tool and consider the pros and cons of each. Then, participate in the Kahoot linked below!
Complete Slide 5 and Slide 6 of your Teacher Toolbox Presentation using the Guideline.
References
Edwards, L. (2021, March 17). What is edpuzzle and how does it work? TechLearningMagazine. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/what-is-edpuzzle-and-how-does-it-work
Make your students the hosts of their own learning experiences. Kahoot! (2022, December 6). Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://kahoot.com/student-centered-learning/
Miller, M. (2019, March 21). 7 advantages digital assessments have over paper tests and exams. Emerging Education Technologies. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.emergingedtech.com/2019/03/7-advantages-digital-assessments-have-over-paper-tests-exams/
Rich, J. (2017, December 14). Polling students to check understanding. Edutopia. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/polling-students-check-understanding/
Rucker, T. J. (2022, February 23). Online Assessment Tools: 5 Major Benefits. Education Advanced, inc.. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://educationadvanced.com/resources/blog/online-assessment-tools-5-major-benefits/
Staff, S. (2022, August 2). 3 reasons to go Digital for Formative Assessment. Education and Learning Technology Company. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.hmhco.com/blog/go-digital-for-formative-assessment
Stauffer, B. (2022, November 1). Pros & Cons of using Quizlet in your classroom. CTE Curriculum for Middle and High School Teachers. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/quizlet-pros-cons
