Reflection

        This assessment tool is a must for all educators’ tool boxes! For that reason I am including it in the E-portfolio. I absolutely LOVE this assessment tool! My students loved it as well! EDpuzzle.com is very easy to use for both teacher and students alike.

        When I gave this assessment, I was surprised by the results. I expected the scores to be lower because my students had never completed an assessment online. I expected more errors, not resulting from lack of math knowledge, but rather from challenges resulting from technology inexperience and/or difficulties. However, this was not the case. After receiving whole group instruction and modeling with a similar assessment, the students were assessed on laptops throughout the course of two days. Yes, two days may be a challenge for some. However, I chose to do the assessing in this manner so that I could decrease the risk of copying. 

        The assessment presented six different number stories to the students. There were visual representations to help them. They had to solve each problem. They did very well. Of the lowest eight scoring students (those not scoring 100%), four simply made careless errors. These four students have mastered the skill targeted, as they show me daily through classwork. The other four students are receiving supplemental supports already in class. One is in a math intervention due to no preschool experience and extreme lack of number sense. 

        With the swiftly approaching student growth inclusion in teacher evaluation, this tool will help teachers quickly assess students, while providing valuable data that can be used to guide instruction. If given as a pre- and post-test, the data will show rates of growth. Data-driven instruction helps teachers develop appropriate learning experiences for each student by customizing lessons and activities. Another positive of this program is that computer-based assessments are becoming the norm. The more exposure students have on low-stake computer-based assessments, the better their chances of increased performance on the high-stakes testing.

        I plan on using EDpuzzle.com for pre-assessment of the upcoming math unit on measurement. The scores will allow me to differentiate my activities. Using that same assessment as a post-test will allow me to show student progress. I can envision using this tool for science in much the same way. It is easy for teachers to use and fun and engaging for the students! I will definitely use it again and again!