Create: Using Web 2.0 Tools to Differentiate Student Assessment 2.1.3

Create: Using Web 2.0 Tools to Differentiate Student Assessment 2.1.3

Since students must all gain mastery over the same content during the course of the unit, teachers must employ differentiation of the process and/or the products of the learning unit.  Formative assessments are utilized during the process, the "how" of learning.  The products represent the out come of the learning: what the student has gained over the course of the unit.

Many web 2.0 tools are versatile enough to support differentiation in student assessment.  One such tool, google docs, is my "go to tool" for student products.  Earlier this year, students were making digital stories about their assigned combination of Earth Science topics. While my class is not a technology class, we do use many types of technology on a daily basis.  However, I cannot assess their science content mastery based on their relative successes with videography, script writing, editing, or other production job.  Instead, I turned to Google docs, and put a story board template online for students to complete with the elements of what they would be trying to convey with their production.  It was clearly stated, written and otherwise communicated that student grades would be based primarily on the quality of the contents in the google document.
During their presentation and immediately afterwards, I was able to quickly type detailed observations, commendations, suggestions, and overall impressions regarding the specific science content.  (example below)

One type of Product with accompanying assessment- using google docs.

Each student then turned in a self assessment and assessment of each of their team members (on paper). Finally, I scored each individual according to the rubric, with consideration given to the information they provided to me in paper form.

As can be seen with this little snippet, the students exercised their choice over how and what to create for the project.  Some students created PPT presentations, others created a PREZI, others filmed themselves in front of a green screen.  these project are designed to have them show me what they know- and the fact that they can choose their style of presentation, which is largely related to their readiness to take on different levels of digital technology.

Three resources that I look forward to putting in my tool box are from the open teacher training.org site:
Resources for Exploration:
"The 35 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools" Article about best tools as determined by teachers.
"Five Minute Film Festival" Series of video tutorials for various web 2.0 tools - aimed at a student audience.
"Web 2.0 Tools for Authentic Assessment" Article about designing assessment.