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Creating Differentiated Technology Based Assessments

Roseann Blaszak

Grand Canyon University

TEC-536: Assessment and Instructional Technology

Dr. Susan Featro

May 18, 2022

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Using different technology assessment tools can encourage engagement and motivation,

inspire creativity, and provide valuable data through different assessments. Whether formative or

summative, these tools can help a teacher assess a student’s comprehension provide feedback on

student’s strengths and weaknesses.

In 6th grade English Language Arts, narrative writing is one type of writing that is worked

on throughout the year. The New Jersey Student Learning Standards that represent this

NJSLSA.W3, NJSLSA.W4, and NJSLSA.W5. These three standards focus on developing

narratives using the writing process, employing different story elements, and using a variety of

word choice to enhance details (New Jersey Student Learning Standards, n.d.). The writing

process is multifaceted and needs to be assessed on different levels. That is where the

technology-based assessment tools can help.

Quizlet is a technology-based tool that can help in the beginning stages of the writing

process. The teacher creates a study set of words associated with narrative writing. The student

engages in a variety of activities, such as a definition and matching game. The data provided

shows the student’s level of proficiency. This tool can be used as a formative assessment through

the different learning activities and a summative one as a vocabulary quiz. What makes this

assessment tool a great option is its adaptability from a virtual classroom to a physical one. In a

virtual classroom, students can work independently to understand vocabulary. In a physical

classroom, it can be used for collaboration though “Quizlet Live.” For 6th graders, it provides

engagement and interaction with the resources required for writing (Common Sense Education,

n.d.).

Nearpod is another assessment tool that provides teachers with data necessary to assess

understanding. By having students watch the different video clips and complete the short,
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formative assessment activities, teachers identify skills that are lacking within the writing

process. Nearpod can be used in a virtual classroom and a physical one. For 6th graders, the

“student paced” option allows students to review the material at home and go back to it as often

as needed. In the physical classroom, the teacher can present the material as whole group

instruction or small group intervention, making this tool versatile (Acton, 2021).

The final assessment tool that is beneficial for 6th graders is MyAccess. This tool can be

used as both a formative and summative assessment. As a formative assessment, teachers and

students can utilize the different tools, My Editor and My Tutor, to provide useful feedback.

Teachers can also allow multiple submissions to see where students have made progress and

need more support. The final copy can serve as a summative assessment. It shows the revisions a

student made to create the final writing. MyAccess can be used in a physical and virtual

classroom as a peer editing activity. A student can share their screens with others and collaborate

on their writing (Vantage Learning, n.d.).

These three assessment tools can help a teacher gather data through formative and

summative assessments, allowing teachers to differentiate instruction. They also provide students

immediate feedback to help students be more autonomous in their learning.

Links to Assessments:

Quizlet- Narrative Words https://quizlet.com/_bkoqzi?x=1jqt&i=kge4p

Nearpod
https://nearpod.com/libraries/23703/preview/character-analysis-L42909981
https://nearpod.com/t/english-language-arts/8th/plot-elements-L77550783
https://nearpod.com/libraries/23703/preview/plot-elements-L42841349

My Access- The Cheating Friend

https://mygcuedu6961-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/rblaszak_my_gcu_edu/
Eel7D9dqM09Jgi-AD2jNCW4BG8EVcvkelsBydNWRrgpIUA?e=nzf72d
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Reference

Acton, N. (2021). 10 Ways to use Nearpod in the classroom.

https://nearpod.com/blog/nearpod-in-the-classroom/

Common Sense Education. (n.d.). Quizlet

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/quizlet

New Jersey Student Learning Standards. (n.d.). NJ.Gov

https://www.nj.gov/education/standards/ela/Docs/2016NJSLS-ELA_Grade6.pdf

Vantage Learning. (n.d.). My Access. http://www.vantagelearning.com/login/myaccess-home-

edition/