Web tools for differentiated assessment

A number of web tools can be used to differentiate student assessment.  Interactive Web 2.0 tools can allow students to show what they know in creative ways.  The key thing for teacher to recognize though is that the tool is not the assessment of what the student knows - it is merely a way for the student to present what he has learned.

One tool that I have found helpful for for student assessment is Prezi.

Prezi is a powerful, dynamic slide show type program.  It can be used to deliver all types of content and allows students to do so creatively.  Here is a link to a video on how to use Prezi.

There are a number of ways that Prezi can be used for assessment.  Let me here present one assessment that I am actually using with my environmental science class.

Class assignment on population pyramids

We are currently learning about population.  You have learned about population pyramids and how to tell whether a population is developed or developing from the population pyramid.

In this assignment you will be assigned a specific country.

You will

• examine the population pyramid of your assigned country
• explain whether the population is developed, developing, or somewhere in between based on what you see in the pyramid
• tell whether the population is likely to increase, decrease, or remain static in the next ten years and explain why
• examine the population pyramid decade by decade describing the population from 0-10, 10-20, etc.
• explain any anomalies in the population by decade

Here are some examples of such anomalies.  In one decade, the population of men may be way less than the population of women.  Why?  In one decade the population of women may be way less than that of men.  Why?  In one decade the population may be way more than the decade before it or the decade after it.  Why?  In one decade the population may be much less than the decade before it or after it.  Why?

Your pyramid may have some of these anomalies or none of these.  Also, your pyramid could have other peculiarities.  Explain those as well.

You will present your analysis in two forms - a short paper and a Prezi presentation.

For the paper, write an introductory paragraph that gives a brief overview of your country.  Then, in subsequent paragraphs, do all of the things listed above.  The paper must be written in complete sentences and flow logically.

For the Prezi presentation, you will represent your findings in a way that includes text, images, video, audio, animations, or any other creative method to help the viewer understand the demographics of your country.  Be sure to have a central idea for your Prezi and to develop it with appropriate material.  Your presentation should be logically organized, visually appealing, and cover all the same topics listed above.

After you have completed your presentation, you will post it to a discussion group.  I will comment on the presentation for content and organization and each student is encouraged to comment as well.  After a period of feedback, you will then modify your presentation and submit it in final form along with your paper.

In conclusion

Using Prezi for this assignment will allow students to creatively present their findings about food pyramids.  By critiquing the Prezi of others, students will get a better idea of how to use Prezi and learn about different populations without having to research them all.  By writing a paper to go along with the presentation, the students will see the benefits of a visually appealing presentation.