This past week, I helped present a webinar on using Google Forms for formative assessment. Because they are so simple to setup and manage, I hope our teachers see its potential. My teammate, Maria Tenny, came up with some excellent samples of different ways Google Forms could be used. So here we go!
Reading Record - This form is great for tracking student reading, whether that be independent reading or group literature. So often, teachers cannot check in with every student each day. By using this form, the teacher can have a record of student reading progress and a different question could be answered each day. The data from the form can be sorted so a teacher can look at all a student's entries right in a row.
Prior Learning Assessment - This form could take the place of a KWL chart. The great thing about this form is that it is individually done and everyone gets an equal voice. With the data from this form, a teacher could see what the student interests are, what questions they may have, and what knowledge they already possess. This information can be used to differentiate and make better instructional decisions.
Project Progress Form - This form could really come in handy when you are doing group projects with your students! You try your best to check in with every group but sometimes things just happen in the classroom and you don't get to spend enough time with a group. By using a form like this, you can monitor a group's progress and make instructional adjustments accordingly.
Homework Check In - Spending class time checking homework is probably not the best use of time. With this form, you can have the students input their answers before class begins. With this information, you can see trends about particular questions or concepts that are an issue. You can also see which students are having issues. In addition, using the Flubaroo script will allow you to have the homework graded! With this information, you can make better instructional decisions in the classroom.
Google Forms are a great tool for formative assessment. Start creating today!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
So Why BYOD?
Teaching and learning is happening in every classroom. Some of these classrooms are using methods honed from years of experience, some are using the same packets and PowerPoint presentations year after year, and some are attempting new ways to increase student learning. No matter which camp you find yourself in, all of these methods are being disrupted by our world and the innovation that occurs everyday. With this innovation comes new challenges and at the same time new opportunities, both being exhilarating and scary to teachers, parents, and administrators. But there is no escaping the fact that our world is one of connectedness, information, and fast-paced change. The pressures of our technology-driven world are being felt in our schools and the BYOD movement seems like it is moving full speed ahead.
My district is officially going BYOD for the first time this year. And as the first day of school arrived, you can feel some of the anxiety and excitement around this issue. So is BYOD the right answer...I think yes. Why?
1. School should not be an isolated place detached from the real world - The world is run by connecting technologies and the rate of connectedness only seems to be growing. Schools need to reflect the world for which they are preparing students to thrive in and succeed. Within the standards and curriculum, personal technology can be one more tool that can aid a student in their learning journey. Would we deprive a student of a learning aid if it were supplied by the school? No...so should we deprive that student of a learning aid if it is student owned? I say no to that one too.
2. BYOD begins to level the playing field - One of the arguments I often hear against BYOD is the issue of equality. Doesn't BYOD just widen the digital divide? In my opinion, BYOD actually closes the digital divide and makes technology more available to students. A given classroom might have access to 10 devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.) and with classes of 25 - 30 students, we have around a 3:1 student to computer ratio. Now let's say 10 students bring in their own device. With those 10 students using their own devices, the 10 district owned devices can be shared amongst the remaining 15 -20 students. That classroom is now operating at a 2:1 ratio for those students who did not bring in devices. We are closing the digital divide, at least at school. I will fully admit that there is not equality in this example. For there to be equality, we would need to operate at the level of the lowest common denominator...that would mean no BYOD. Looking at the math above, I don't feel that is a sound decision.
3. Fear of change is not a valid excuse - There is a certain amount of fear and anxiety that surrounds BYOD. Student devices bring about a new set of challenges to teachers. This was probably no different from when the dreaded calculator started making its way into the classroom! A successful BYOD classroom puts a premium on good classroom management. Clear expectations, consistent procedures, and appropriate consequences must be in place for success. Funny thing is...this sounds like the characteristics of a well run classroom (BYOD or not BYOD). Teachers who struggle with classroom management will struggle with BYOD too but that is no reason to disallow student owned devices. Procedures and classroom expectations will need to change for a BYOD classroom. No longer is ok to require every student to create that PowerPoint, or write that book report. Students need the freedom to use their devices in a way that best shows their learning. All of this change brought about by BYOD can be frightening but fear should not be an excuse to limit students on their learning journey.
So as the BYOD debate rages on and as we roll out our program this year, I am excited to see the change. I am excited to work with teachers in creating a successful BYOD climate in their classrooms. But my greatest excitement is for the students, and I hope they take full advantage of this opportunity.
The world is changing quickly. Innovation will continue to grow and grow. If are not ready for student devices in school now, what will we do in the near future when the cutting edge becomes the norm?
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Saturday, July 13, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Do You Ever Look at the Terms of Service?
Whether you agree or disagree with the level of blocking on your school network, most of us work in an environment of filtered internet access in our schools. There are many times that I wonder why a particular site is being blocked because it offers a potential to enhance learning in the classroom. What I found out was quite interesting...one of the factors we take into account is the terms of service. When you are evaluating a website, do you ever go look at the terms of service? Within the terms of service, there is usually an age requirement or a parental consent requirement. Let's look at a couple terms of service from two popular websites.
Example 1 - Minors under the age of 13 not permitted. If the laws of your country of residence so permit, minor children may utilize a Prezi account established by their parent or legal guardian, with such parent or guardian’s approval. If you permit your minor child or legal ward (“Child”) to use the Service, you hereby agree to these Terms of Use on behalf of both yourself and your Child. You further agree that you are solely responsible for any and all use of the Service by your Child regardless of whether such use was authorized by you.
Example 1 - Minors under the age of 13 not permitted. If the laws of your country of residence so permit, minor children may utilize a Prezi account established by their parent or legal guardian, with such parent or guardian’s approval. If you permit your minor child or legal ward (“Child”) to use the Service, you hereby agree to these Terms of Use on behalf of both yourself and your Child. You further agree that you are solely responsible for any and all use of the Service by your Child regardless of whether such use was authorized by you.
Use of the Service by Minors 13 and Older. Users must be 13 years of age or older to use the Service. By using the Service you represent that you are 13 or older, and that you will not permit a minor under the age of 13 to use the Prezi Service, your Prezi account, or otherwise interact with the Service. Prezi will never knowingly solicit, nor will it accept, personally identifiable information from visitors or users known to be under thirteen (13) years of age.
As you can see, students using this service must be 13 or have parent consent. If you read through the above text, you see that these terms of service come from the popular presentation website Prezi. Have you seen students under 13 using Prezi? I know that I have and I wonder if they had parental permission. Something tells me no.
Example 2 - If you are under the age of 18, you should review this Agreement with your parent or guardian to make sure that you and your parent or guardian understand it.
This one was a bit of a surprise to me...this is from Storybird. Storybird is a great tool for students of all ages. It is a great tool for authentic learning, but even it has age restrictions. Many other popular sites have age restrictions such as Voice Thread, WeVideo, and more. Does this mean that students under the age of 13 cannot use these websites? Absolutely not. Teachers just need to communicate with parents about the website and how it will be used. A hassle maybe, but you are modeling the ethical use of Internet resources. Whenever we can model positive digital citizenship, that is a plus for our students.
So the next time you find a great web resource, make sure to check out those terms of service. With all this being said I don't believe in blocking just because of the terms of service but that is a debate for another day and another blog post!
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