OVER 35 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT TOOLS TO ENHANCE FORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

OVER 35 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT TOOLS TO ENHANCE FORMATIVE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

T&L adviser Michael Gorman prefers the term “formative learning” to formative assessment. Here he shares over 35 formative learning tools, in nine different categories, for integrating technology with good teaching.

Category 1: Video. These tools enable teachers to use video to provoke new thinking and inquiry.

* EduCanon—Place videos in a formative loop and check for student understanding.

* Zaption—Collect information on students’ progress as they access video at home or school.

* EDpuzzle—Track student understanding of a video from nearly any source on any device.

* Blubbr.tv—Create video-based trivia games.

Categories 2 & 3: Quizzes, Check-ups, and Feedback.

The data collection and analytic tools provided by these tools can provide important insights to inform future instruction.

* Kahoot—Get a quick read on student knowledge and understanding.

* Socrative—Post questions, polls, and quizzes on the fly with minimal preparation.

* Quizlet—Create or choose from thousands of ready-made quizzes on multiple subjects.

* Quizizz—Bring the whole class into a competitive learning situation.

* Answer Garden—Ask a question and get group feedback with this Web-based tool.

* Google Forms—Create and analyze surveys that allow for student feedback and choice.

* Padlet—Place virtual post-it notes on the screen and include pictures and links.

* GoSoapBox—Gain real-time insight into student comprehension.

Categories 4 & 5: Lessons and Video Creation.

Creating content that explains conceptual understanding allows for deeper understanding.

* Blendspace—Create a lesson using multiple Web-based resources and tools.

* Gooru—Build digital lessons in no time or use one of many prebuilt lessons.

* GoClass—Edit and manage digital lessons from anywhere for use on any device.

* Nearpod—A presentation on multiple devices controlled by the teacher.

* Screencast-O-Matic—A great screen capture system with advanced editing controls.

* Powtoons—Teachers and students can create animations to explain concept ideas.

* Moovly—An engaging tool that allows you to overlay drawing and animation on real video.

Categories 6 and 7: Back Channels and Games.

Educational games provide wonderful learning experiences that can go well beyond content.

* TodaysMeet—Create a virtual chat room for students to collaborate.

* Chatzy—Encourage the chat in your room to support academic topics.

* Backchannel Chat—Allows classroom back channels with teacher controls.

* Google Docs—The chat feature can serve any of its apps on Drive.

* Utah Education Network—Games and simulations for most subject areas.

* JeopardyLabs—This game is always fun in any format.

* Brainrush—Adaptive learning games to share and build.

* 3D GameLab—A 3D collection of over 20,000 quests to share and even remix.

Categories 8 & 9: Interactives and Others.

Allow students to have voice and choice as they demonstrate learning.

* ReadWriteThink—An amazing selection of Web-interactive tools.

* ClassTools.net—Think of analog tools built in a digital way with unlimited possibilities.

* Graphite—A collection of vetted apps, including Common Core and Lesson Building Apps.

* APPEd Review—In-depth reviews of 500 apps, complete with screen shots.

* Scrumy—A unique project management module for individuals and/or groups.

* Plickers—Ask a question and students hold up paper with codes suggesting their answers.

* GoFormative—Part feedback, part game, part group brainstorming.

* Prism—Measures the crowd in reference to a particular reading.