Could this not be a classroom as well?

Category: Assessment

Google Classroom

Google classroom is a tool that is making it’s way into more and more classroom.  The app is part of googles Gsuite that comes with any gmail account.  Allowing for easy access by teachers and students.  Google classroom allows for teachers to create subjects, assignments, tests and more that would be instantly shared with the class.  It also allows for intuitive organization and assessment.  The classroom automatically links to other apps in gsuits which allows teachers to seamlessly create google quizzes and forms.  There is also a classroom drive where students may submit work for grading and in response to assignments being given.  This also allows for instantaneous grading and analysis of results by google.  Allowing teachers to be able to provide instant feedback as well.  I spent very short period of time on the sight and was able to create a classroom as well as some assignments with a large amount of ease.  I would strongly recommend just spending some time exploring what can be done with google classroom.  However if struggling there is a help forum known as Google Classroom Community.  This is where teachers can share notes and lessons as well as help for the app itself.

 

There are two warnings using google classroom however.  Google is only present on American servers and some Canadian school districts do not allow for digital information to be stored on foreign servers.  The other issue is that google does not clear it’s servers, there is no current mechanic for deleting information and while archiving something may make it disappear on the surface it that information is still accessible.

 

If you are interested in learning more about google classroom there is a playlist from google below that will assist with using google classroom.

Alternative assessment methods

Today in class we learned about two unique apps that help improve the method of assessment with in classrooms.  The first being ZipGrade an application that removes the expense and speeds up the process of scantrons.  The function of the app is very similar to the classic testing method.  Create a multiple choice quiz and have students answer using a bubble sheet.  The interesting part about this app is that every test c

an be graded instantly.  The app uses locating squares and a cellphone camera to scan all the sheets instantly.  Students are able to receive instant feedback on a quiz or test that they write.  The app also analyses the results and can give you percentage break down by question giving the teacher a better instant feedback on what areas of the course content they may need to focus on in the future.

The second app we used was plicker, this app is similar to Zipgrade in that it instantly records students answers but it can be done without the test.

However the amazing part of this app is that there is no test involved.  Students are given QR code like sheets of paper.  These  QR codes are student specific and can register a different answer based on the orientation the student

holds the code up.  This app can also be used from a phone and the teacher doesn’t have to do more then stand at the front of the room and point a camera at all the students cards.  The app registers all the QR codes and the answers taken from them.  It is anonymous and instantaneous.  The app also analyses the work similar to Zip grade and produces an analysis of the classrooms understanding.

 

Both of these apps work great as check in methods or tools for assessment.  Allowing teachers to check in more often and with minimal effort can help them shape lesson plans in the future to focus on materials that would be more relevant and more necessary for the class to learn.  While the user interface on both seems bland and unruly it doesn’t take long to figure out how to run a test and i’m sure with more practice could be used as a integral part of the classroom.