Digital Formative Assessment

In the 21st Century Classroom

Welcome!

Formative assessment tools are a vital part of any teacher's toolbox. Regardless of which tool you use, gathering data is a critical component to help teachers monitor and adjust their teaching to meet the learning goals for all students.

21st Century Formative Assessment

Course Overview

How to Use This Site

This course is divided into several Modules that will introduce you to a variety of digital formative assessment tools that support 21st century teaching and learning. You will work at a pace of one learning module per week as you explore selected instructional tools, create and share a product using the tools, and share your thoughts on how these tools can be integrated into a lesson.

  • Successful completion of this course will result in the accrual of 12 Professional Development hours.
  • There are no face-to-face meetings--all course content will be available exclusively on this Google Site.
  • All course interactions will take place on Google Classroom.
  • See the Course Calendar for all due dates.

Watch This!

View the video below to learn how to navigate this site and participate in Google Classroom discussions.

DFA Walkthrough.webm

Join Google Classroom

Course Calendar

Google Classroom will serve as space for you to share the links to your work as well as your thoughts about the efficacy of the featured tools in support of 21st century skill development. Please log-in to Google Classroom using your school-issued Gmail account.

The "join" code for this class:

xxxxx

Learning Modules Overview

In this module you will be introduced to the SAMR model, Dr. Ruben Puentedura's framework to help teachers assess how they are integrating instructional technology into their professional practice; HyperDocs, a customized digital document that acts as a hub for all aspects of the learning cycle, and some thought-provoking articles about 21st century assessment techniques. You are welcome to share these resources with your stakeholders or use them as background information as you plan your own professional learning experiences for educators.

In this Module, you will learn about a variety of digital tools and strategies that foster communication among students and other stakeholders. Featured instructional technology tools include Google Sites, Google's website platform; and Google Slides, Google's presentation tool. You are encouraged to explore the Communication Tools Cheat Sheet to learn more about a variety of digital communication tools. Approximate time commitment: 3 hours.

In this Module, you will learn about a variety of digital assessment tools and strategies in support of classroom collaboration. Featured instructional technology tools include Padlet, a virtual corkboard for sharing information and multimedia; and Google Docs, Google's collaborative word processing tool. You are encouraged to explore the Collaboration Tools Cheat Sheet to learn more about a variety of collaborative instructional tools. Approximate time commitment: 3 hours.

In this Module, you will learn about a variety of digital assessment tools and strategies that support critical thinking among your students. Featured instructional technology tools include Flipgrid, a video discussion platform; Seesaw, a "learning journal"; Nearpod, an interactive content delivery and assessment tool; and Edpuzzle, a video instruction tool. You are encouraged to explore the Assessment Tools Cheat Sheet to learn more about a variety of digital formative assessment tools. Approximate time commitment: 5 hours.

In this Module, you will learn about a variety of digital assessment tools and strategies in support of student creativity in demonstrating learning. Featured instructional technology tools include Powtoon, a digital animation platform; WeVideo, a video editing tool; and Piktochart, a tool for creating infographics. You are encouraged to explore the Creation Tools Cheat Sheet to learn more about a variety of creation tools students can use to demonstrate that which they have learned. Approximate time commitment: 4 hours.

The Reflect Module includes some checklists for teachers to evaluate their efforts in integrating instructional technology tools and strategies into their lessons. Some questions for educators to consider:

  1. How do your efforts support ISTE Standards for Educators, Students, and Instructional Coaches?
  2. How do your efforts to transform your teaching through meaningful instructional technology integration fit along the SAMR Model?

Grading

There are several "Tasks" in this course that will be assessed as "complete" or "incomplete" with one point being awarded for each completed Task. Each point will translate into one hour of credit. For each Task, you must complete the assigned activity and share your thoughts and links to artifacts in Google Classroom.

MEET THE TEACHER

Rob Leo serves as the Coordinator for Instructional Technology Training at West Genesee Central Schools. Previously, he worked as the Model Schools Coordinator at the Central New York Regional Information Center, where he led a team of instructional technologists that planned and delivered professional development related to technology integration for teachers throughout Central New York. Prior to his career in education administration, Rob worked as a social studies teacher at West Genesee High School for thirteen years, a bilingual education teacher at Shea Middle School in the Syracuse City School District for a year, and an ESL teacher in Seoul, South Korea, for a year. Rob is a 1992 graduate of Binghamton University where he received a BA in economics. He is also a 1997 and 2009 graduate of LeMoyne College where he earned an MSEd in secondary education and education leadership, respectively. Follow Rob on Twitter: @rleowg.