Kevin McFarland here, one of the @goformative founders, stationed in San Diego, excited to participate in #formativechat! Looking forward to hearing some cool stuff and maybe some new things out of #TCEA19
A1 good digital assessment has high quality questions written for a range of student answers and actionable data. A balance of efficient information gathering and evidence of student thinking is key #formativechat
A1) An assessment that allows the teacher and student know exactly where the deficiencies are so they can be addressed. It should be easily accessible and contain any tools that the student may need to be successful in taking it. #formativechat
A1: A good digital assessment allows students to show and apply their knowledge in multiple ways. It is not a multiple choice assessment. #formativechat
A1: Our best teachers are using formative assessment in as least invasive method as possible. It is built into their instruction or learning stations. They are using a variety tools, reflecting on the data and providing quick feedback or intervention. #formativechat
A1) Good digital assessment has high quality questions that come in a variety of forms. There should be multiple ways for students to show mastery. #formativechat
A1: For me it's the same as good non-digital assessment. A check for understanding to see if Ss are understanding what we are teaching them. The difference here might be in the speed of the checking. #formativechat
A1-Provides opportunities for differentiation, ability the grow and continue learning from, effective and timely feedback, accessibility for learners, help teacher make instructional decisions. #formativechat
A1: Perhaps the greatest advantage of the digital modality is the “fluid” nature of the assessment and the Ss products. More opportunities for convos between the instructor and the student, and between student to peers. #formativechat
A1-Provides opportunities for differentiation, ability the grow and continue learning from, effective and timely feedback, accessibility for learners, help teacher make instructional decisions. #formativechat
A1 I think it has variety of question types, ways for students to show learning and offers good feedback, easy to gauge student understanding, enables educators to help students right when needed #formativechat
A1: A good digital assessment gives choice and voice to the student. Also, there are few multiple choice and more ways to show one’s understanding. Also, there is an opportunity to always revisit and try again and practice the skill. #formativechat
The effectiveness of a digital assessment is found in the degree that the digital nature of it does not get in the way of the teacher’s pedagogical purpose. #formativechat
A1: A good digital assessment gives instant feedback to both the teacher and to the student. It is easy to use and functions seamlessly in the curriculum. #formativechat
The effectiveness of a digital assessment is found in the degree that the digital nature of it does not get in the way of the teacher’s pedagogical purpose. #formativechat
Great point-- when done well, digital assessments make the jobs of educators easier, not more difficult. PD days that provide training to teachers is an excellent way to help start out on the right foot!
a1 #formativechat On behalf of all the #mfltwitterati or myself video assessment has allowed for deeper, richer reflection. We truly listen/look at ourselves and our language learning. Now that's also good reading.
In a nutshel, no. If anything, digital gives the opportunity for more immedate feedback, though it is sill up to the teacher to do that, too. #formativechat
Exactly! Like any other medium, its purpose is to enhance the teacher's ability. Sometimes the best tool is digital, sometimes it's not. #formativechat
A2: In most cases I prefer analog. A face to face formative chat is so much more powerful in my opinion. Perhaps multiple choice tests would be a good answer here. #formativechat
A1 Good digital assessment provides the students with an opportunity to voice their learning whether it be through audio or video. When the students have to describe what they know it deepens the learning and also gives insights into the process. #formativechat
Digital gives you the advantage of quicker feedback. You'll often get a good item analysis which is great for modifying groups on the fly. #formativechat
Technology is not the point. We should not be trying to use technology simply to use it. It must meet our purposes and goals. The tech should conform to us, not the other way around. I love seeing more and more tech being developed with teachers' needs in mind. #formativechat
A2) When it is the best choice for the student. There are time when the student needs to write it out... or play it out or sing it out or act it out. #formativechat
A2.We have become obsessed with testing and test results.We are now in danger of teaching to the test.Lets teach from the heart and not from the book or to the https://t.co/RbZn5i72SF leads to lifelong results #formativechat
Agreed! At times a personal conference with a student can reveal more info about the student’s learning journey than any digital platform. #formativechat
Exactly! Like any other medium, its purpose is to enhance the teacher's ability. Sometimes the best tool is digital, sometimes it's not. #formativechat
A1. Good digital assessment is when Ss show they can utilize technology to complete projects, understand, explain, and demonstrate learning to one another. Technology is used to enhance the teaching lesson. #formativechat
A1: Good digital assessment isn’t just a babysitter when you’re meeting with groups or a digitized version of something on paper. It helps us see what kids know through innovation with tech #formativechat
Q2 is ready! (And to be honest, this is one of my favorite questions personally because it really pushes us to validate why we believe in the power of certain digital activities + to consider the goal over considering the tool) #formativechat
A2 In science the "old fashioned way" is best when modeling. I want to see the thinking on paper/white board If its digital the Ss ability to control mouse/touch pad is too big a factor #formativechat
A2: Analog assessments are best if you are looking for straight answers with no thinking. True/False would work best for this too, but it will measure very little in terms of actual learning. It’s more of a check than an assessment. #formativechat
A2: I did a 1/4 sheet of paper for students to answer 4 questions. It was a great exit ticket for me. I could easily sort them into small groups quicker than any tech could and have an intro for each groups based on answers #formativechat
Agree. Ultimately, it's all about what you do with the results of the assessment. If you aren't going to do anything with it formative assessment is kinda pointless. #formativechat
A2 In science the "old fashioned way" is best when modeling. I want to see the thinking on paper/white board If its digital the Ss ability to control mouse/touch pad is too big a factor #formativechat
A2-If it is best tool for the job. If it helps the learner grow. If it meets student comfort level. Teachers need to gauge class and make instructional choice. #formativechat
A2 Anytime a personal touch is needed. No email. No Twitter. F2F conversation is always best. It's important we see and hear each other. Body language, tone, volume. #formativechat
A1: enhances each area of assessment -creation, delivery, collection and management, evaluation and data analytics, reflection, and feedback. More efficient, more effective, more valuable, more reliable, etc #formativechat
#formativechat a2 Analog, f2f or live is so much better when you are trying to create and see flow in conversation. Sometimes when it's extremely personal, off camera is the only way to go.
A2) Analog tests are best when they make sense. When students need to label or work things out. Technology shouldn’t just be thrown in because it’s available, but because it’s a better option. #formativechat
A2: Not the only time, but when there is an opportunity for making a mistake in an analog format that isn't as easy to fall into in a digital format, I'll take analog. You'll sometimes see a miss-understanding hands-on that could've been overlooked digitally. #formativechat
A2. Whenever face to face communication is required, through demonstrations, sharing of ideas, asking questions to dig further into information or topic area. #formativechat
A2: Assessments can take on loads of different forms and formats. I used to do exit slips on sticky notes one for my class and another was something they learned personally in the last week (educational or not) and we would put them up on the walls #formativechat
A2: Whenever the learning environment dictates what is best for the assessment modality. Analog vs. digital — perhaps not a binary choice. Instead, they are varying threads woven into the overall quilt of learning. #formativechat
A2: Analog is best when you are still learning your standards and aren't particularly tech savvy. it's best to know how to write a good assessment, create an item analysis and apply the appropriate interventions first. #formativechat
A3: I had to shift my thinking and really think about learning vs. regurgitating information. When creating an assessment, I am always thinking of that demonstrative way of showing one’s thinking and learning at that very moment. #formativechat
Thing to consider—perhaps many teachers place more value on the analog assessments since they may have learned in this format. Must consider the way our Ss brains have been influenced by the largely digital world in which they exist. #formativechat
A3 It pushes me out of my comfort zone so I have to be open minded to seeing the value and not accepting the status quo. I must remember i'm preparing students for THEIR future #formativechat
A3 Assessment back in 70's/80's was big & bulky, not streamlined like today. I struggled w/assessment & that exp has helped me keep in mind that assessment should give Ss ability to communicate their ideas over anything else #formativechat
A3: I had to shift my thinking and really think about learning vs. regurgitating information. When creating an assessment, I am always thinking of that demonstrative way of showing one’s thinking and learning at that very moment. #formativechat
A3: I made my classroom interactive & project based...when I was growing up my gen ed classes missed the engagement factor & I often found myself board stiff (loved my CTE classes bc they were more hands on) #formativechat
A3: I was able to understand that a test doesn't always show mastery of a skill, especially if a student gets anxious about testing. In which case a differentiated assessment is required. #formativechat
A3 I am old. But my elem school has a fully functional computer lab in 1984. I’ve been fascinated by tech and sci-fi my whole life. It shaped my teaching #formativechat
A3: Not to be a contrarian but as a millennial teacher as well as a "digital native" I I'm a bit more skeptical of technology than some folks who haven't grown up with it. By that I mean, I don't get wowed easily. It has to transform my practice to get me on board. #formativechat
A3: taking notes by hand helped me learn best. I’ve recently gone back to doing this more, and it helps me retain better. I think options of nite taking are great. Voice and choice, right (or until the next rhyming-schemed fad?) #formativechat
A3 I wanted more time and info from my teachers. Not just red pen and numbers. TEch allows me individualized time and custom video/audio feedback. Realtime feedback is a daily thing in band. I wanted it in my otehr classes. #formativechat
A3a From past I learned that non-traditional assessment often can tap into Ss creativity & let their knowledge really shine! Old & boring assessments don't spur creative response #formativechat
A3-Usually a 'larger' time gap in getting feedback and 'moved' on.Ability to learn/grow from feedback not present. Only saw assessment as a summative test with 'memorized' answers. Digital world allowed assessment to be so much more overall #formativechat
A3 My experiences as a student with assessments made me aware of the need for using mutiple types of assessments. Sometimes it is digital, sometimes it is on paper, and at times it is both. #formativechat
A3) I had to learn a new system and rethink my view on how technology can be used. It can be a great tool and not just a store of information. #formativechat
A3: I give ss a choice. They can take it either way but then input their answers on the computer so I can score it quicker. I would have wanted that choice. As an adult, I flip flop between tech and analog in my learning so I assume I’d be the same way with assess #formativechat
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A3: Two things I hated when taking tests as a student: 1) Getting a grade a week later without the ability to learn from it. 2) When the teacher had to interpret my process with asymmetrical information. TBH, these are a big in why I'm working on @goformative#formativechat
A3: The secret sauce of digital assessments involves the humanization of the experience that analog activities exhibit. If we can humanize the experience in the digital format such as we can in the analog format, we’ve hit paydirt. #formativechat
A3 oh my, I was completely intimidated by all things digital. Games, creating, learning, I felt like it was above my skill set. Still struggle with digital books and assessments. #formativechat
A3~
~a balance of both & the wherewithal to blend both,imho, is continuously evolving & will always be a work in progress due to the diverse needs of our Ss 😊
#formativechat
Very true! While it might be easier for us when our assessments are adult centered, we need to be sure our assessments are student ready and student focused. Preparing them for what we think the future ought to be isn't a winning strategy. #FormativeChat
A3.2: I should add CPU’s we’re just coming on the scene as I was leaving the classroom...but I loved being an instructional technology specialist bc I could use tech to think outside the box & create experiences that engaged Ss #formativechat
#formativechat a3 I know I hated drafting so analog slowed it; stopped my creative process. In digital I'm more critical and will "do over" until it looks right, so now I'm drafting. Never too late to learn.
#mfltwitterati#esol
A2 Analog is the best choice for assessment with my ELLs when I'm trying to check their writing skills. Even then I prefer to use digital programs that allow the Ss to type the responses. #formativechat
I also came into teaching as a 2nd career. I homeschooled my kids for various lengths. I care more about the learning than the tool used to get there #formativechat
I go back and forth on this. I used to not see much of a value in Googleable questions but the more I learn about knowledge-rich curriculum as well as how important general knowledge is in terms of reading and literacy, the more I am not sure #formativechat
A3: I was a “shy” and “quiet” kid who was always aware of who was turning their tests in (I wanted to be first). Digital assessment opens up chances for quiet kids to be heard and...you can’t really tell who is first to turn it in... #formativechat
Not a "digital native" here, but I need to see that the tech actually does what I need/want it to do to get on board. If I have to conform or sacrifice some aspect of my teaching to adapt to the tech, then nope! #formativeChat
I've been so happy to hear this conversation coming up more the last few years. Options are available and so we can choose the tool for the scenario. #formativechat
I would reply that for me it (Not a millenial or digital native, but high tech adopter) it is the same in that "I can do that quicker and more efficiently the analog way, so you (edtech) often "do not impress me much". #formativechat
A3: As an art major, we spent a lot of time in critique. I learned a lot about perspectives and nuance. There are often lots of answers to a question. As a tech coach, i try to give students many opportunities to express their learning. #formativechat
A3. We've learned that times have changed, and now our Ss know quite a bit more technology than most T. We must keep learning new things to keep up with new technology and prepare Ss for future. #formativechat
A3: I was a “shy” and “quiet” kid who was always aware of who was turning their tests in (I wanted to be first). Digital assessment opens up chances for quiet kids to be heard and...you can’t really tell who is first to turn it in... #formativechat
Interesting take, eliminating the "shiny new thing" factor. I wonder if there's any inherent increase to underlying knowledge as well with that, or any other trends we'll see as the more of your and newer generations enter the career. #formativechat
It's important that we teach + then allow students to do quick, nitty gritty research on what they need to know in order to make learning happen: where do I seek out information? How do I sort through what I find? How do I take what I need + leave what I don't? #FormativeChat
#formativechat STEM classes, public speaking situations including presenting projects, etc. possibly art classes or situations in classes where artwork is used. Sketchnoting? Poetry slams/readings; acting-role playing?
Well, that's all our time for #foramtivechat! Thank you again to @juliedavisEDU and @Rdene915 for making it possible and leading such a great conversation!
Agree. Learners have to have some foundational knowledge that sometimes takes the form of googleable answers. How am I going to ask about the relationship /interaction between two concepts when they do not know off the top of their heads what the concepts mean/are? #formativechat
In reply to
@MrAustinA2, @kruevans, @juliedavisEDU
Whether digital or analog, it's important to have many participation structures that allow all voices to be considered. Too often, I think we demand a certain kind of participation + that can foreclose the possibility of a more universal + democratic classroom. #FormativeChat
Totally agree Jeffrey. My main internal debate is whether or not there's a place for having students know/memorize/internalize Googleable information. And how much is required to be able to make connections versus merely knowing how to search out that information? #formativechat
I wonder also. It will be some time until we are the purchasers/decision makers so it should be interesting to see if there's a change or shift. #formativechat
I always think of it like a crossword puzzle: once you know the answer to a certain clue, it continues to repeat + you've unlocked a piece of knowledge that can benefit you in a variety of contexts. This could be true with some Googleable knowledge, too. #FormativeChat
In reply to
@MarianaGSerrato, @kruevans, @juliedavisEDU
A3 #formativechat have you read the book #BoldSchool by @Wes_Kieschnick. It’s like weaving the digital ideas w/the analog ideas - Old w/new! Offering an assortment of engaging, student-driven activities and choice. Finding an interesting balance to keep Ss wNting to learn!
I've seen a bit of this. I'd say that the biggest direction it's heading is the requirement that "it just works". Services took more setup and configuration back in the day. (think setting voltages on a MB building a PC 15 years ago to it auto-adjusting now) #formativechat
I tend to lean toward not having them memorize when they can look something up, but I could see doing some of that with new concepts + ideas, especially if you want students to have a base. In general, I say put that brain space + power to use on something else. #FormativeChat
