Using Book Creator for Formative Assessment (2nd edition)

Dr. Monica Burns Ed.D.

About the Author

Monica is a Book Creator Ambassador, former classroom teacher, and founder of the Class Tech Tips website. She has written numerous books including EdTech Essentials: 12 Strategies for Every Classroom in the Age of AI. Monica’s website and podcast provide strategies and ideas for educators interested in using technology in their learning environments. You can follow Monica on social media @ClassTechTips or reach out to her directly via email: monica@classtechtips.com.

Table of Contents

Do Now Routine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Use Audio Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vocabulary Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Add Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduce Illustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Make the Most of Emojis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Organizers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Integrate Favorite Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transcripts & Captions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Progress Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Breakdown Big Ideas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Two Stars & A Wish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Video Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Set Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Collect Exit Slips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Introduction

When we check to see if a student understands something new, we're gathering information that can help us make better instructional decisions. Formative assessment directly informs our instruction, giving us information we can use immediately for tomorrow's lesson or for an activity later in the school year. When we assess students in this way, we're on a "fact-finding" mission.

To collect high-quality formative assessment data, we want to set students up for success. For some, the best way to share their learning is by typing a sentence. Others might express themselves better through voice recording, drawing, snapping pictures, or filming a quick video. Your formative assessment routine might include a "Do Now" activity to gauge understanding at the start of a lesson, a journal entry in the middle of an activity to get real-time progress updates, or an exit ticket where students add a response to a page in an ebook at the end of a lesson.

What is Formative Assessment?

Digital tools like Book Creator offer students flexible ways to share their learning, making it easier to collect actionable formative assessment data. Students can choose how they'd like to respond to a question, prompt, or task. Book Creator's built-in collaboration feature makes it easy for students to review each other's work and participate in peer feedback. Teachers can also leave feedback for students by recording their voice or a quick video.

As you dive into this ebook, you'll find 15 tips for checking student understanding that you can adapt to your unique learning environment. Book Creator empowers students to access resources that help them express their learning in the best way possible, allowing you to make informed decisions about future instruction. Don't forget to make the most of the special features within Book Creator that you'll see in this ebook, including graphic organizers, illustration tools, feedback stickers, and so much more!

1. Do Now Routine

A Do Now Journal is a great routine for any classroom. When students enter at the start of the day or the beginning of a class period, you can have a prompt waiting for them. Students can open their Book Creator ebook, used specifically for Do Now prompts, and add their response to the page.

Do Now journal prompts can vary from class to class. In a math classroom, you might ask students to solve a problem related to a Khan Academy video they watched the night before. Then, they could discuss their problem-solving strategies in small groups while you listen to their conversations or review their journal entries. This formative assessment data helps you decide whether to shift the focus of your lesson.

You can set up a dedicated Library to easily organize student journals. If you are working with a co-teacher, invite them to this library space as well. By having all journals in one place, you can quickly click on a student's book, see their response, and make any necessary adjustments to your instruction. Checking for understanding at the beginning of a lesson can significantly influence your instructional decisions, allowing you to identify students who might need extra support.

A Quick Tip