Snaps for APPS!

If you want to shift from assessments that focus on scores to assessments that focus on self reflection try out some of these tips from Common Sense Media: 3 Tips for Formative Assessment  At first I thought, “I’m going to ask the students to take a test about the test??!!  WHAT???” But it does make sense and I think self reflection is one of the most powerful tools to helping students name strategies and becoming more self aware of their challenges.  If students can put a name to their struggles or identify areas of weakness then they can start to make a plan for next time. If this type of self reflection is introduced early and reviewed continually throughout all academic areas students will begin to see patterns such as:  I work too quickly, I don’t read directions clearly, I didn’t check my work. The area areas where students can absolutely improve quickly with just a little more self awareness and a plan to move forward for next time the situation arises. There are a few apps that came to mind while watching this video.

I’ve pull the ideas from a video from Common Sense Media: What I did was think of apps that you can pair with the idea.  

____________________________________

Idea #1:   Take an online quiz then have students fill out a quick (5 question) quiz about how they felt they did.  Use Poll Everywhere    Good things to know about Poll Everywhere:

• It’s free
• You can have up to 40 questions on your free account (any more any people would refuse to participate in your polls anyway)
• Live updates - Watch your numbers roll in.  Adds excitement! Can be viewed from the Poll Everywhere website
• No more physical clickers!  Phew!

Author Note:  Poll everywhere is a very fast quick way to get feedback from students.  At first I thought isn’t this the same as Google Forms? It seems the best feature is that it updates live in front of you on a screen if you choose.  Students can see the updates happen in real time. You can send out a poll over a tweet or a text or even online. It seems suited better to upper elementary where students have phones and teacher magically turn phones into learning devices instead of distractions.  GO TEACHERS! You can’t outsmart them! So is Poll Everywhere similar to Google Forms, yes. Is one better than the other? As always, it depends on your purpose and your audience. Choose your weapon wisely!

_______________________________________________________

Idea #2:  Get an online discussion going after an assessment so students can talk about what to do next.  Students can hear from one another about what changes they would make going into the next assessment.  

Use Flipgrid Good things to know about Flipgrid:

• Use can only put up one “grid” at a time. (So one class).  
• Unlimited topics.  Unlimited responses.
• Videos can be public or private
• Videos are limited to 1 minute 30 seconds.
• Students can pause the video but not edit, it’s a one and done.  You’ll have to start over if you mess up
• No comments on videos unless you upgrade

Author Note:  I have to say there is something inside me that says if I want students to have a discussion, if at all possible, I’d like them to have it in person (face to face).  There is something creepy about a bunch of students sitting in an elementary classroom videotaping themselves then watching each others videos. It’s the equivalent of a bunch of teenagers sitting in the same room texting one another.  I’m sure I am being a bit cynical. I’m sure there are many other ways to use this app but I hope teachers strike a good balance. I do appreciate that there are many students that would prefer to make a video to have their voice heard than speak face to face.  

_______________________________________________________

Idea #3: After an assessment get students to think ahead by asking them to post a question about what else they want to know.  Use Padlet  Good things to know about Padlet:

• It’s free
• Student posting are anonymous
• Less than 5 minutes to set up
• Easily shared
• Can invite students without having them signup for an account
• Post images, link, documents, videos

Author Note:  Many teachers have noted that Padlet is a great place to help students as they work through research projects.  The sticky note like posts can be color coded and then sorted by category. This is a great tool that could support or replace note cards which often go lost through the research process.  

_______________________________________________________

Timeline Apps:  I first checked out Timeline from ReadWriteThink.org.  I wasn’t wowed. It looks great but to be honest I think students could make something very similar with Google Slides (a tool they probably know better and can manipulate faster).  I don’t like duplication. I was thinking while I was using that it looked too simple.  If I am going to use another app I need it to wow me.  I’m not one to use an app for the sake of saying I’ve used it and tried something new.  I couldn’t see where you could put a background picture in where as I know how to do that in Google Slides.  I was imagining a Timeline that looked more like the Thinglink app. To be honest I think if I were to do a timeline I might use instead.  Or if you are looking for a traditional (??) timeline tool perhaps check out MyHistro    It has the visual features that I imagines would accompany a timeline.  In particular MyHistro is excellent for geographical specific timelines which roots events to physical places.  This makes it ideal to help connect students with the land and people as they explore history. You get a lot more bang for your buck when you make those connections than you do without a map in Timeline app.