In PE we've been using the clickers for student cognitive assessments. Just recently we've had some major problems with the software (or maybe user induced-not sure). My colleague and I were administering our quarter 3 assessments this final week of the quarter. We had each class one time before spring break. My colleague attempted to load the test in Turning Point, but it wouldn't allow him to pull up that classes participant list. The next test he administered, the computer froze half-way through the test. Just yesterday, I was on the final question of the clicker test in a different classroom, and the computer froze. All data and test responses were lost. Being that the end of the quarter is near, and we only see each class 4 times out of a ten day cycle, we're stuck with figuring out what to do for the test. For the classes that had the opportunity to complete almost the whole test, I used correct answer indicators after each question; therefore, I didn't think administering the test again would be valid because they were basically handed the answers.
My question is, how should we handle these technology glitches when they occur? Do we need to print a paper copy of the test each time or choose to not use the correct answer indicators? I like that my students receive instant feedback after they answer the question, so not telling them the correct answer isn't something I personally want to get rid of.
I understand your frustration! I feel this way any time my technology doesn't work the way I had planned. So much of my day is based around my SMART board that I feel lost if it goes wrong. I end up flying by the seat of my pants because it's not realistic to have a backup plan for every single lesson.
ReplyDeleteI think you are in a unique situation given that you have far less opportunity to see your students. It make is much harder to give the test a second time if it doesn't work the first time.
In regards to the correct answer indicator, I probably wouldn't worry about it too much. Unless you're immediately starting over the test, most students won't remember the exact answers anyhow. It's kind of like having a review session. If you are concerned about it, though, perhaps it would be worthwhile to have a second version of the test prepped with the same content, but slightly different questions or answer options.
Wow, Ashley! That sounds frustrating!
ReplyDeleteWith the participant list issue, I can usually find a way around it - Turning Point will gladly store the information just by the clicker number that each student is holding, and you can go back and note the students' results by which clicker they were holding. It's tedious, but it does the job.
As for the frozen computer... YIKES! Did you let the Help Desk know it happened? Were you on a laptop or a desktop at the time? (I'm assuming a laptop, since you were probably in the gym?) I wonder if there's another space you could use when you're doing the clicker assessments that would allow you to administer the test on a desktop computer... Our desktop machines are more reliable right now, especially in regards to Turning Point.
I completely understand how you feel about technology failing, especially when we see kids only a few times a cycle. Like Erin, I spend a majority of my day teaching from SMART Board based lessons. (I don't even have access to the CDs for the curriculum at some of my buildings!) The biggest problem I run into is files that suddenly corrupt themselves... I've taken to saving each file in multiple locations so I always have a backup. People look at me funny when I open my wallet full of flash drives, but I've been burned too many times in the past!
Good luck! I hope you and Wade figured something out!