Teachers need to regularly assess learning while their students are at home. While students and their families are coping with so much, how might we as teachers be mindful of developing assessments that check for understanding along the way, while also engaging students in the learning process?
Join our Digital Learning Specialists as we discuss what assessments might look like in both synchronous and asynchronous virtual environments, with a focus on providing students feedback along their learning journey so that we can ensure they are grasping key concepts. Thumbs-up/thumbs-down, hand signals, online polls, and discussion boards are all approaches that have become new mainstays of assessment in virtual learning. These quick pulse checks and other familiar check-in practices can help teachers stay tuned in to their students’ learning needs.
Below, you will find resources and tips shared during the podcast to support your virtual-teaching goals.
Teachers need to stop saying, ‘Hand it in,’ and start saying, ‘Publish it,’ instead.
Alan November, author and educator
Resources
In this week’s episode, we discuss the following strategies and resources that are available on AVID Open Access for you to explore in more depth.
Plan for Assessments in Live and Self-Paced Virtual Learning
Think of teaching in a remote classroom as a great opportunity to rethink how students show what they know. Reimagine ways for your students to authentically demonstrate their learning while also developing skills that they will need for college and careers.
Design Engaging Assessments to Evaluate Student Learning
Assessments for Synchronous Remote Learning: Providing joyful and engaging learning opportunities through remote learning will help keep your students energized and coming back for more. The following are example assessments for virtual learning:
Performance assessments are more flexible, and also motivating, and facilitate the development of key life skills, such as creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. The following are a couple of examples to consider:
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- TED-Ed Student Talk: A TED-Ed Student Talk is a short presentation on a topic that the student is an authority on or with which they have personal experience. Use the TED-Ed website to help you get started.
- Live Gaming: Students can create analog or digital games to demonstrate their understanding. During remote learning, games need to be digital or made so that they can be played while using a live virtual platform. Keep in mind the supplies and materials to which students have access. The following options offer a great starting point:
- Scratch (Tips)
- Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint can be used to create a “choose your own adventure” game:
- Minecraft: Education Edition
Assessments for Asynchronous Remote Learning: Tests and quizzes are efficient and convenient, but they are not always the most engaging and authentic way for students to show what they know. As you design your online lessons, consider which option is the best way for your students to demonstrate their learning and, if possible, give them voice and choice in that decision. Review the list below for some common and effective strategies:
- Audio: Technology can literally give students a voice with audio recording software. In this format, students can tell you what they know and what they think in their own words, with their own voices. Students can create podcasts, radio shows, songs, audio books, or simple recordings of themselves explaining their thinking. The following are student-friendly platforms to consider:
- Video: Video is increasingly accessible and easy to use, and most students have access to video recording options right on their phones. Video is also a great way to have students explain their learning, demonstrate a skill, tell a story, or present learning through a multimedia message. The following are student-friendly platforms to consider:
Digital Tools
Let us help you look for new ways to engage students online. We share tips for the following digital tool in this week’s episode. Each digital tool review in AVID Open Access includes a takeaway tip sheet and overview video.
WeVideo: Create, edit, and share professional-looking videos with WeVideo’s (Tips) full-featured, online video production tool.
- Students can work collaboratively on the same project from different locations.
- WeVideo is great for green screen projects, podcasts, and much more.
- It can be used in grades 3 through 12.
- Because WeVideo is cloud-based, it can be accessed and used from many different devices, including Chromebooks.