Sometimes as teachers we can feel as if we are walking through a dry desert and the new ideas just won't flow. However, I just returned from the TCEA Conference (Texas Computer Education Association) held in Austin which was like an Oasis. I was introduced to many new things this year and I was inspired to get my blog updated again.
We are hearing often in the education field about formative assessment. Often, we get to the end of a unit, we give our unit test, kids aren't successful, and we move on because there is so much to cover before the end of the year. By assessing our students often, we can better gauge if students are learning and if they aren't, we can adjust our teaching. But assessment takes time. As the teacher, you may have to grade up to 175 papers and that doesn't count the time it takes to then break down the results to see what the students know and what they don't know.
I have discovered there are resources out there for teachers that can help with formative assessment. One such resource is a combination of Google Forms and Flubaroo. Yes, Flubaroo, it is not a spelling error or something a scientist made up in a lab. Both of these are free resources. Using Google Forms, teachers create an online assessment for their students and then Flubaroo grades the assessment. This blog entry will focus on multiple choice questions. The assessment can include as few or as many questions as needed. After the assessment is complete, grab the link, and then share the link with the students through a website or e-mail. The students can complete the assessment using most devices (computers, iPods, iPhones, tablets, & so on) and can complete the assessment at school, at home, or anywhere they have internet access. Once students have responded to the questions, Google Forms will break down the responses into pie charts by question. Then Flubaroo is used to grade the assessment which will return the grade and a spreadsheet with each of the answers so teachers can get a clear picture of where students are successful or where they are struggling.
This type of assessment could be used in many ways.
Below is the instructional video to help you get started using Google Forms and Flubaroo. If you have any suggestions for how to use this assessment tool, please share in the comments section.
Have a great Tech day!
We are hearing often in the education field about formative assessment. Often, we get to the end of a unit, we give our unit test, kids aren't successful, and we move on because there is so much to cover before the end of the year. By assessing our students often, we can better gauge if students are learning and if they aren't, we can adjust our teaching. But assessment takes time. As the teacher, you may have to grade up to 175 papers and that doesn't count the time it takes to then break down the results to see what the students know and what they don't know.
I have discovered there are resources out there for teachers that can help with formative assessment. One such resource is a combination of Google Forms and Flubaroo. Yes, Flubaroo, it is not a spelling error or something a scientist made up in a lab. Both of these are free resources. Using Google Forms, teachers create an online assessment for their students and then Flubaroo grades the assessment. This blog entry will focus on multiple choice questions. The assessment can include as few or as many questions as needed. After the assessment is complete, grab the link, and then share the link with the students through a website or e-mail. The students can complete the assessment using most devices (computers, iPods, iPhones, tablets, & so on) and can complete the assessment at school, at home, or anywhere they have internet access. Once students have responded to the questions, Google Forms will break down the responses into pie charts by question. Then Flubaroo is used to grade the assessment which will return the grade and a spreadsheet with each of the answers so teachers can get a clear picture of where students are successful or where they are struggling.
This type of assessment could be used in many ways.
- A pre assessment and then post assessment can be given and students can see a visual of what they have learned during the unit.
- As a homework assignment covering the topic that was discussed in class that day (an easy way to get students to look over class notes and increase retention).
- During class time, students answer questions as the discussion is occurring and while they are taking notes, then they submit responses at the end of class (help students focus on what is important).
Below is the instructional video to help you get started using Google Forms and Flubaroo. If you have any suggestions for how to use this assessment tool, please share in the comments section.
Have a great Tech day!
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