The value of using digital assessment tools in the classroom continues to grow each year. This is something I have watched first-hand as I head into my third year of teaching, and even as a paraprofessional of two years prior to teaching. I have seen digital formative assessments used in grades K-12 and even with some of my undergrad classes such as PollEverywhere. I have also seen these apps used in a variety of classrooms, from MH rooms to ED rooms and everything in between! I love the diversity that these apps offer teachers and their students.

 

Digital formative assessments provide teachers with accurate and automatic student responses. Students can answer questions, and teachers are able to stop and review student answers after each question. This helps guide, modify and inform instruction in one of the greatest ways possible—in my opinion anyway. This is exactly what I have loved about using digital formative assessments in my classroom. The quickness of assessing my students and then making decisions on where to go next in my lessons is unmatched (all made possible by technology). Without these apps, gathering this formative data would otherwise be very time-consuming and would most likely happen less often. This also allows my classroom to go paperless for a bit and does not require me to flip through and grade papers—teacher win! These apps also offer privacy to each student and their responses. Only the teacher can see and access these responses-unless the teacher decides to project this information on the Smartboard.

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One tool that I have used and that I think is particularly valuable when talking about digital formative assessments, is Plickers. I enjoy Plickers so much because it does not require my students to access any device and I am able to use my cellphone. In addition, students do not need to take the time to find a certain app or log in. This saves a generous amount of time in the classroom. With Plickers, teachers create questions on the website/app and print corresponding Plicker cards for each student to utilize. After giving the question, the teacher scans each student's Plicker card. The student's name, along with the answer they chose, pops up on the teacher’s device. The teacher is quickly able to see who answered correctly and who did not. All questions and their responses for each class/student are saved under Reports when the teacher logs in. I love this feature and data collection component that the app offers. In my classroom, I have used Plickers mainly with Science and Social Studies content, however, I want to utilize it with Math and Reading this coming school year. My previous students have enjoyed using this app as it helps to break up our normal test-taking routines!

 

Another digital formative assessment app that I enjoy using is Quizlet. Quizlet allows students and teachers to create flashcards, tests, quizzes and study games that are engaging and again switch up the traditional test-taking routines. I have used Quizlet in all subject areas, and mainly have used it for students to create flashcards as a study tool. I have created a few quizzes as well and have even had students create quizzes for their peers. My students have really enjoyed creating quizzes for their classmates and I hope to incorporate it with future classes!