Creative assessments through technology- Guest blog by Vaishak M Raj

The post-pandemic world and the upsurge of technology have led to substantial evolution in education. Learning experiences have now expanded horizons to accommodate new edu-technologies. Assessments have now become creative in curriculums across the globe. Through technology, assessment tasks and strategies have brought in innovation, differentiation, and inclusion elements. An ideal assessment should be authentic, varied, collaborative, and provide feedback and feedforward.

Below are a few virtual assessment tools and strategies made possible through technology. These not only bring in creativity but also nurture design thinking in students. These can be used across subject areas such as science, arts, music, dance, mathematics, languages, etc.

1. Checklists through Checkli

Checklists are wonderful formative assessment tools that help the teacher, and the student reflect on the learning and teaching practice. It supports the student in making sequential connections with the concepts learned. On the other hand, the teacher can monitor the depth of understanding and even use the information to plan the upcoming lessons. Through Checkli.com, students can make free checklists in creative and descriptive ways.

Peer Feedback through Parlay

Peer Feedback is an excellent assessment tool that helps students widen their understanding, collaboration skills, and critical thinking skills by evaluating their classmates’ works. It is evocative, varied, and provides feedback as well as feed-forward. Parlay is a discussion-based learning tool that enables learners to have meaningful discussions. After that, they can assess their peers’ works through guided statements and criteria. Parlay Ideas also helps teachers plan critical thinking routines and provide measurable data for further planning the lessons.

For a walkthrough on how to use Parlay Ideas, please click here-

Tech Thursday- Parlay Ideas- a tool for peer review

Visible Thinking Routines through Concept Board

Visible thinking routines always bring creativity, excitement, and new learning experiences to virtual classrooms. It helps the students develop their voice in expressing their understanding to the learning community and is a beautiful formative assessment tool. Concept Board has a reservoir of available VTRs, templates, and tools to initiate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It helps the student create a flow chart, Venn diagram, empathy maps, or any other analytical tool through the feature of readymade templates on the concept board. It also provides possibilities for online collaborations and has advanced features of a whiteboard.

Entry / Exit Card games through Scrumblr

Entry cards and exit cards are fun-filled formative assessment tools that help teachers get quick reflections or revise any concept as the students enter or exit a class. In addition, it brings in curiosity, play, and brainstorming possibilities for the students. Scrumblr can develop virtual entry and exit card games through sticky notes and letters.