Abstract: Have you ever put the words “fun” and “student assessment” in the same sentence? Spend the day with our dynamic team, laughing and learning to use free and easy online tools for face-to-face and online classes. This workshop will be a combination of guided instruction and hands-on practice. Participants could leave the workshop with their own customized assessment techniques and templates.

Objectives

Participants will have an understanding of how faculty and administrators can use online assessment tools to monitor student learning and program development within their own schools, districts, or colleges. Participants will experience using a plethora of free, online tools, such as Google Docs forms, Hot Potatoes, and more. Participants will see examples of online assessment tools and techniques used by actual educators.

Topical Outline

OVERVIEW Information related to the purposes of assessment, effective assessment strategies, and criteria for selecting appropriate technology tools will be shared. Participants will complete a survey about prior knowledge, experience, and expectations for the workshop. (15 minute talk and discussion) DEMONSTRATION AND EXPLORATION -Surfing with Surveys. Learn how surveys can be used to assess student learning before, during, and after instruction. (20-minute instruction/demonstration/exploration) - “Quizzical” Quiz Shows. As the show host, you get your students excited about sharing what they have learned in both competitive and non-competitive ways. (25-minute instruction/demonstration/exploration) -Everything But the Kitchen “Synch! Brand Spanking New Web and Mobile Device Tools. What are the latest and greatest instant feedback technology tools for assessing students? What’s on the horizon for assessment? (15-minute instruction/demonstration) APPLICATION Showtime! Play to become proficient with the tools. Participants will have an opportunity to try out the technology tools that align to their own purposes. Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase and discuss the techniques and tools they have learned during the workshop (45 minutes) REVIEW Review of resources available for the participants after the conference, handouts and support material. (15 minutes)

Prerequisites

Educators who have a desire to learn the use of FREE online tools to build student assessments are encouraged to attend. Basic familiarity with the computer and web browsers is necessary. The research on professional learning communities (DuFour 2006, Hord 1997, Sergiovanni 1994) supports the need for faculty to have time to share ideas, issues, and celebrations. In many districts that type of collaborative time is difficult to find – social networking can be an effective and inexpensive way for districts to support those types of communications. Administrators are also finding it an essential tool for sharing ideas and getting feedback from teachers. Teachers can use the tools for teaching and assessing…small group interactions…and 21st century types of writing tools.

Experience Level

Beginner

Qualifications

Dr. Leaunda Hemphill has been helping educators develop technology integration skills since 1990. For the past six years, she has been teaching technology-integration courses to pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and administrators. She also conducts technology-integration and technology skills seminars for higher education institutes and businesses. Dr. Donna McCaw has been working with administrators and district boards for over a decade in the development of effective professional development plans. She is comfortable with technology and understands the power of these FREE and easy to use tools. Jill Myers, J.D. has been instructing law enforcement agencies and law enforcement students for over 15 years on the legal use of technology as an enhancement to job performance and public perception and credibility. With the movement toward open government and disclosure, she teaches the value and power of using technology to effectively communicate ideas, strategy outcomes and performance assessment to administrative personnel and the community. Xiaokai Jia is currently a graduate student in the Department of Instructional Design and Technology at Western Illinois University. Before she came to the United States, she had been teaching English to college students in China for two and a half years. She now works as a teaching assistant for the IDT department. She teaches technology integration course for pre-service teachers, 3D modeling and animation, and introduction to instructional technology. Dr. Hoyet Hemphill has worked for over 25 years in higher education teaching and administration, science education outreach, public education evaluation and assessment, educational technology research labs, and corporate research and development. He teaches instructional design and technology, instructional project management, grant writing, 3D modeling and animation, and instructional video.