Assessment Tech
I was happy Nysa showed off Google Forms as that is one software that is free and integrated with the rest of the platform that many schools are using. As a Google Based school utilizing Google Classroom and other Google products, the use of Forms is one which works nicely, doesn’t require expensive subscriptions, allows the screen to be locked and collects students information safely. In a world where cyber attacks are all too common, the use of some of the third party apps and programs is a concern for myself and the IT department.
The online platforms that were shown during the presentation and discussed in the articles did provide a lot of great advantages to using the software. The ability to track results over the long term, protect your exams from being copied, mix up the order in which students see questions to prevent cheating, and grade many questions automatically are all beneficial. For most of these technologies the paid version offers a lot more options which could really expand and provide more options like keyword tracking and more advanced correcting in mathematics.
One area I’ve struggled with lately is students using AI programs like Chat GPT to complete assignments. Unfortunately, the AI detectors do not seem reliable enough for a teacher to accurately make a decision if a student’s writing was cheating or not. This is where professional opinion still trumps some of the technology that exists. A program like Go Guardian allows teachers to monitor students’ chromebooks and be able to see students working on their assignment. Google Docs also allows a teacher to see the history of a student’s progress to see if large amounts were copy and pasted. Of course, a student could have two tabs open and type out the Chat GPT work as well. Each program that is introduced creates some challenges and provides some opportunities. Each should be used for its opportunities for monitors for the challenges. Setting clear expectations with students, monitoring their progress, and having conversations with them about their findings and finished work help to eliminate the challenges.
2 thoughts on “Assessment Tech”
Hi Mitchell! You’ve done an excellent job highlighting the strengths and challenges of using tools like Google Forms and other online platforms in the classroom. As you pointed out integration and affordability of Google Forms is outright, especially considering its accessibility and security features. I appreciate your balanced perspective on the challenges with AI tools like Chat GPT and the importance of professional judgment when evaluating student work. Your suggestions to monitor student progress through tools like Go-guardian and Google Docs revision history are practical. Setting clear expectations and encouraging open conversations with students is such a crucial step in navigating these challenges.
Hi Mitchel,
You mention the integration of Google Forms and other digital assessment tools in education highlights both the benefits and challenges of utilizing technology in the classroom. Google Forms, as you mentioned, is a versatile and cost-effective tool that seamlessly integrates with Google Classroom and other Google products. Its features, such as the ability to lock screens during assessments and securely collect student information, make it a reliable option for many schools. The emphasis on cybersecurity is particularly important in today’s digital age, where the threat of cyber attacks is ever-present. Ensuring the safety and privacy of student data should always be a top priority, and using trusted platforms like Google Forms can help mitigate these risks.
Thank you……