DATA+ANALYSIS

Data analysis is a great tool for teachers to use for a few reasons. For example, I often utilize this tool as an informal assessment to find out what my students know about a concept that was recently taught. It also allows me to poll all students in my class on their opinions on specific topics taught, or even on random things that are answered anonymously. It also incorporates technology into the lesson, which always makes content more interesting. Poll Everywhere is a site that allows one to survey anonymously by answering through a text message. Here is an example of a survey that I asked my students after reading our novel, Number the Stars. media type="custom" key="7690143" I have also created a survey that asks my students a variety of questions that enables me to get to know them better. I use this survey in the beginning of each school year to learn about my students. I used [|surveymonkey.com]to create my survey. This is a copy of what my students were told to fill out by the first Friday of school.

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In addition to Polls and Surveys, Classroom performance systems (CPS) are also commonly used in the classroom. This device is often referred to as a clicker. These can be used in many different ways depending on how the teacher wants to incorporate it into his/her lesson. Personally, I think it is a great way to start a class off. If reading was assigned as homework, it can serve as an informal assessment to observe what the students understand. Students sit down after entering the classroom and can then read the questions on an overhead that the teacher has provided about the reading. Each student can answer the questions using the Clicker and can then assess the students' knowledge of the appropriate content. Here is a video that explains what a Clicker is, and how it can be used in the classroom. media type="youtube" key="CnnP0uCqD4k?fs=1" height="207" width="254"