While there are many different ways to assess students knowledge in the classroom, these are the ones that I have used that I feel are valid tools to measure students success towards mastering standards.
Summative Assessments
This assessment is done after a concept is learned and is a way to see what the students truly understand. (McMillian, 2014) It is just like the name implies it sums up student learning. The most traditional way is to give the big test at the end such as a multiple choice or an essay prompt. There are however more ways to assess students understanding than that and with technology it is made more interactive for students to show what they know.
McMillan, J. (2014). Classroom assessment: Principle and practice for effective standards-based instruction.Boston.Pearson.
McMillan, J. (2014). Classroom assessment: Principle and practice for effective standards-based instruction.Boston.Pearson.
Slide Presentations
One great summative assessment is using multi media. A slide presentation either created by an individual are by a small research group shows what the student(s) know in that they can show their knowledge and compile it in a way that makes sense. Having a rubric for which students can follow will ensure that students know what criteria are needed to complete the assignment, and helps you the teacher assess what the student(s) understand about that assignment.
Here are some ways to different slide presentation platforms to use:
Here are some ways to different slide presentation platforms to use:
ISTE- Student Standards-1. Creativity and innovation
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression -2. Collaboration and communication a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats d. Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems -3. Research and information fluency b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks d. Process data and report results ISTE Standards for Students. (2017). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students# |
- 4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making
b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project -5. Digital citizenship b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning -6. a. Understand and use technology systems b. Select and use applications effectively and productively d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies |
Diagnostic Assessments
Diagnostic Assessment or Pre-Assessment is done before teaching a standard or core concept to get a better handle on what students understanding is starting off (McMillan, 2014). It only makes since to assess students prior knowledge before teaching a concept in order to effectively and efficiently teach the standards.
I-Ready
I am fortunate enough that my school purchases this program for both math and reading for the whole school. With that said it does have to be purchased which is the downside (I do love a free website ;0)
I give the diagnostic test at the beginning of the school year for both math and reading so that I have a read on where my students are in those subjects. The diagnostic report will show areas of strength and weakness and at what grade level they are performing at. It also has a report that breaks down what standards are mastered, on there way, or not at all all the way through the grade level. For example they might have gotten some kinder standards mastered but not all, but have also a few in 1st grade, and second grade learned as well.
I find this tool very useful and think it is well worth the money just for the diagnostic tool alone, but of course it is so much more than that. It also gives online lessons based on their level at what they were placed in. As the teacher you can also add extra lessons to the students program that correspond to what you are teaching at the time as well.
I give the diagnostic test at the beginning of the school year for both math and reading so that I have a read on where my students are in those subjects. The diagnostic report will show areas of strength and weakness and at what grade level they are performing at. It also has a report that breaks down what standards are mastered, on there way, or not at all all the way through the grade level. For example they might have gotten some kinder standards mastered but not all, but have also a few in 1st grade, and second grade learned as well.
I find this tool very useful and think it is well worth the money just for the diagnostic tool alone, but of course it is so much more than that. It also gives online lessons based on their level at what they were placed in. As the teacher you can also add extra lessons to the students program that correspond to what you are teaching at the time as well.
ISTE- Student Standards |
-4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions |
Formative Assessments
These assessments are done while teaching and are a way to see if students are grasping the concepts being taught.(McMillan, 2014) These can be things such as quizzes or student self reflections. A summative assessment can also turn into a formative assessment as well if the outcome is not favorable and a reteaching needs to be done. What is great about doing these assessments online is that the feedback for you and the students are quick and in some cases in real time so that you and the students can quickly see what concepts are learned and what still needs to be focused on.
Kahoot
Is a fun way in which to assess students on going learning when teaching a concept. Students get to essentially play a quiz game in which they can compete as individual or in teams. The team aspect helps foster collaboration and learning, while still communicating information using a digital media. Teachers can use a stock quizzes made from other teachers or create their own to be tailor made to your students and content you want to assess. I must confess I choose the latter option which is create my own because I know exactly what I am looking for my students to grasp. Creating your own is also very easy to do too!
ISTE- Student Standards |
-2. Communication and Collaboration
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats. -5 Digital Citizenship b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning. |
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