Student understandings, achievements, and struggles are things that teachers should know in order to best be able to formulate and implement curriculum that best fits the academic levels and understanding of their students. One way that teachers are able to find out these things are through data analysis. Many believe that in order to collect the appropriate information to complete a data analysis, much time and energy is needed in order to do this properly. Technology has made this process much easier however, through the forms of instantaneous and interactive polling. Teachers are now able to create quizzes online, and either through cell phones and text messaging, a few minutes of computer time, or hand held devices, instantly get results from their students to the questions they need to know. Three perfect examples of this type of technology are Poll Everywhere, Google Surveys, and CPS clicker devices. Below are explanations of each of the following.
Poll Everywhere
Thanks to the creators of polleverywhere.com, teachers are now able to get "instant audience feedback". After creating an account, teachers can create a quiz whose results will be generated by having students send a text message with the corresponding number to their answer to a code number given for that particular quiz. As each text message is received, students can watch the poll's results change immediately, and instant feedback is generated for the teacher.
Below is an example of a quiz created using Poll Everywhere BEFORE any text message submissions were made.
Below is the same exact quiz, however note that there has been some text submissions, which have changed the poll and statistics immediately.
Google Surveys
One of the many advantages of Google Docs is that you can now create and customize your very own surveys to fit whatever type of assessment you are trying to gather data and results from. Google Docs allows you to customize your theme and add as many questions as you'd like in a variety of types: multiple choice, text, paragraph, check boxes, choose from a list, etc.
Below is a link to a survey I have created with the intent of assessing student interest in reading.
As explored on the Engaging Technologies page, interactive clickers like the CPS database system are becoming very popular in the classroom setting. Teachers can pose a question and students can give their response by simply clicking a button. Results are generated automatically, and the teacher can track which response is coming from what child.
Below is a picture of what one type of "clicker" looks like. You can order as little or as many clickers for the system as you want, to ensure that each child in your classroom can participate in the survey.
Poll Everywhere
Thanks to the creators of polleverywhere.com, teachers are now able to get "instant audience feedback". After creating an account, teachers can create a quiz whose results will be generated by having students send a text message with the corresponding number to their answer to a code number given for that particular quiz. As each text message is received, students can watch the poll's results change immediately, and instant feedback is generated for the teacher.Below is an example of a quiz created using Poll Everywhere BEFORE any text message submissions were made.
Below is the same exact quiz, however note that there has been some text submissions, which have changed the poll and statistics immediately.
Google Surveys
One of the many advantages of Google Docs is that you can now create and customize your very own surveys to fit whatever type of assessment you are trying to gather data and results from. Google Docs allows you to customize your theme and add as many questions as you'd like in a variety of types: multiple choice, text, paragraph, check boxes, choose from a list, etc.Below is a link to a survey I have created with the intent of assessing student interest in reading.
What Type Of Reader Am I?
CPS Database
As explored on the Engaging Technologies page, interactive clickers like the CPS database system are becoming very popular in the classroom setting. Teachers can pose a question and students can give their response by simply clicking a button. Results are generated automatically, and the teacher can track which response is coming from what child.Below is a picture of what one type of "clicker" looks like. You can order as little or as many clickers for the system as you want, to ensure that each child in your classroom can participate in the survey.