A Quick Glance at Formative and Summative Technology Assessment Tools

Laura GottardoGrand Canyon University- TEC 546

7/21/2011

An Example of Formative Assessment Technologies

• WriteToLearn (WTL)Click Here for A Video to Introduce You to WTL

pearsonschool.com

WTL

• What is it? Is it computer or web based?• WriteToLearn is a web-based tool that

integrates practice and assessment in reading comprehension with writing about what is learned through formative assessments.

• WriteToLearn Homesite

Costs

What does it cost?• WTL costs under $20 per student for one year

with a minimum of 20 unit purchase.• This includes 24/7 service.• Volume discounts are available. • For more information contact NCS Pearson,

Inc. or go to www.pearsonkt.com

pearsonschool.com

WTL Data• What kind of data does

the tool produce?• The Summary Street of WTL, uses

Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA), which compares the individual’s summary to the readings they are summarizing to check for understanding. Summary Street evaluates: (a) content (b) length (c) copying (d) spelling (e) redundancy and (f) irrelevancy.

• The Intelligent Essay Assessor (IEA) of WTL can rate the following: effective use of sentences, focus, grammar, usage, mechanics, word choice, or voice

• Class Reports can also be produced. (See next slide for example).

Landauer, Thomas K., Lochbaum, Karen E., & Dooley, Scott. (2009).

Example of an individual report generated by Summary Street of WTL

Example of Class Generated Report

WTL Data

• How can data be used to drive instruction and differentiate?

• WTL generates graphical and visual reports in real time of all student or class activities. This can be a powerful tool for parents and teachers in deciding when intervention is necessary and in what area of reading and writing it is most necessary.

• Student assignments can be individualized to address the proficiency levels of students by– adjusting scoring thresholds– response time– choosing different spell-check and grammar options