Report on use of Web-Based Resources

Dylaney Dalton
UIS 350, Fall 2017

Summary of Three Web-Based Instructional Resources

Plickers

Plickers is an assessment tool that utilizes cards in order to monitor student learning. Students
are normally given a question or prompt and have to choose a card that they feel best displays the
correct answer so that the teacher can scan the card and have it tracked for the student. This tool, while
a lengthy process, helps to record individual data for each student, as well as show percentages of
students who got a particular question right. This helps the teacher to define where a students
strengths and weaknesses may be.

I feel that this tool would be best utilized in a pre-assessment activity due to the irregular format
of assessment and the time consuming process that it would take for teachers to scan students cards
during an actual assessment, which would make it difficult to manage the classroom and give accurate
feedback to the students. However, for teachers in schools that may not provide technological resources
for students this tool is great due to the focus on cards, rather than technology. Overall, Plickers does a
decent job at monitoring student participation and other data, as well as exposing areas for further
accomplishment.

Kahoot

Kahoot is an assessment tool that allows students to compete with each other in a classroom
setting to study, as well as pre-assess or assess their knowledge. Kahoot utilizes gamification strategies
in order to make the assessments feel more as if it were a competition, which allows students to
approach the subjects in a more positive manner. Having a point system also helps as it encourages
students to know the material well so that they can quickly choose their answers and be awarded more
points for their promptness.

I prefer using Kahoot as a study tool because it challenges students to all participate and helps
them to keep the knowledge fresh in their minds. This tool has been highly effective from what Ive seen
from prior use with the program and many times that it is used, students are capable of better
performing on exams and tests. Kahoot makes subjects approachable and allows students to see their
weak spots, as well as strong points and can be made accessible to students to use outside of the
classroom setting as well.

Nearpod

Nearpod is an assessment and interactive management tool teachers can use to ensure that
students are participating and focusing on the proper material. It is highly interactive and relies on the
teacher to create resources and tasks for the student to fulfill in order to ensure that the student stays
on track.

Nearpod is also an assessment tool in the fact that teachers can create quizzes for students to
complete. Nearpod keeps track of student answers on both, and individual and classroom basis, making
it easy to assess where students are in a subject. This tool would be great for individual study in the
interactive area, as well as acting as an assessment due to the teachers ability to monitor and control
Report on use of Web-Based Resources
Dylaney Dalton
UIS 350, Fall 2017
whether students can leave the site. Nearpod is also accessible in any location, which allows students
the opportunity to review what they learned in class in any location. I feel that this tool is strong, but
should be done by a teacher who is sure of their classroom strategy.

Selected Application for Deeper Learning

I selected Kahoot for my quiz/learning activity.

VA Standard of Learning

VA SOL Science 3.9

Synopsis of the Learning Experience

I chose to create a Kahoot on VA SOL Science 3.9 on cycles, but focused heavily on the moon
cycle. My Kahoot was 10 questions long, and incorporated True/False questions, multiple choice
questions, and picture oriented questions. The Kahoot incorporates pictures and a chart of the cycles for
certain questions, but mainly relies on student memory and awards points based on correctness, as well
as promptness of response.

This Kahoot could be used as a study tool for students on the cycle of the moon as it addresses a
large amount of material, but does not fully cover everything. The gamification aspects of Kahoot make
it simple, engaging, and fun for students to use, which would make it easier for students to use as a
study tool since many students are ill-prepared and ill-equipped at knowing how to study. Kahoot works
in a time efficient manner, allowing teachers to decide the length of time devoted to each question, and
makes it easy for teachers to incorporate it as a non-time-consuming study tool.

I found it rewarding to work with three different tools created for classroom assessments, as
students normally feel fear when taking assessments. None of the tools listed are meant to create fear
in students, which is refreshing. Rather, each of the tools acts to create gamification, individual
interaction, and competition components for engaging students. I found that Kahoot was easiest to
work with and most engaging due to the gamification and competition aspects. I was challenged by
Kahoots incorporation strategies and wasnt sure how I would utilize a video in that setting, but look
forward to discovering more uses for video related questions in the future. Overall, I feel that Kahoot
adequately prepared me to assess student knowledge and create new ways to educate and challenge
students.

Evidence of the completed product.

To fully experience what I have learned in creating my Kahoot, click the link:
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/9ac1f1b5-0b7d-4192-9a20-d95a42cca51c