Formal Assessment using Technology

In this introduction video by Matthew Bianchi you can see a plethora of different formal assessment options that can be used in the classroom. The importance of formal assessment in the classroom is one that cannot be overstated. Formal assessment has been around ever since teaching started. The need to assess what students have learned is essential in determining what needs to be taught and how much learning has taken place. However, with an influx in technology over the past ten years we have been fortunate enough to see tremendous growth in our abilities to assess students. Technology has allowed teachers to not only assess the students, but to assess their students in a formal manner and receive immediate feedback. This allows teachers to make immediate decisions about students, grouping, reteaching, and moving forward.

One of the most productive uses of formal assessments through technology is the use of the data that is collected to create flexible grouping. If a student is showing mastery prior to a lesson, then teachers would be able to accelerate their learning and develop it at a much higher level. In contrast, if a student is showing struggles with a concept, a teacher would be able to place that student into a slower paced group with additional teacher help. This ability to adapt instruction to fit the needs of the learners is so powerful in reaching the needs of all students.

As an educator the most flexible formal assessment that I've been able to use in classrooms has been Plickers. This assessment tool is extremely adaptive as it allows the teacher to create questions and have students answer those questions using printed symbols. Below you can find a video from Jared Ward explaining how Plickers can be used:

Another powerful assessment tool that I personally have relied heavily upon has been GoFormative. This site allows connection through Google Classroom which is a huge plus for the way I set up classes, and it also allows the teacher to see what the students are typing AS they type it. This is a great tool that allows for immediate feedback, even as students are answering questions. Again you can see a quick tutorial from GoFormative just below:

Overall, formal assessments are vital to tracking student growth, and by getting immediate results and providing instantaneous feedback students' learning can be enhanced greatly. What formative assessment tools do you use that has been beneficial for the tracking of your students?