Technology as a Form of Assessment

In the past two posts on technology, I have shared numerous resources that I have used in the past, and currently use, with my students for a variety of subjects. I have also shared several websites and programs that are effective for implementing STEAM through technology in the classroom. In my final post on technology, I would like to address the use of technology for assessment.

Several of the websites I have previously shared can be used as a form of assessment, but it depends how they are used. For example. Quizlet can be a great assessment tool when quizzing students on vocabulary. You can have students complete an individual assessment and report their percent score to you. Students can do the Live version and this can provide formative feedback on the students understanding in small groups. Another website that can be used as assessment is Kahoot. You can create quizzes where the students answer questions and provide formative feedback on their understanding as a whole group.

But how can we get feedback, both formative and summative, on students knowledge and understanding of concepts at an individual level? How can we create assessments that are aligned directly to our teaching and the standards? And how can we do this without spending too much of our valuable time, money, and resources. Over the past three years, I have played around with a variety of options and found Google Forms to be the most effective solution.

Google Forms not only allows you to create a variety of questions, but there are unlimited add-ons that can enhance the uses of Forms. If you are looking for basic directions on setting up a Google Form, see the support link here or on G Suite Learning Center. Here are some ways I have used Google Forms for both reading and math, and even science:

• 3 Question Exit Tickets

• Class Surveys

• Lesson Reflections

• Short Quizzes (4-5 questions)

I have created Google Forms directly from other classroom programs or curriculum that I have already purchased, or that my district has provided. For example, I may use three questions from a math worksheet directly in a Google Form exit ticket. The trick is that I don't have to keep track of paper, the quiz can be set to automatically grade and collect data, and I can use the quiz over again each year.

Check out this direct tutorial on creating and using Google Forms in the classroom below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jJexZuS1mc