Preparing for PARCC: Addressing Online Testing Challenges with your Students

Presented by: Zack Blois

Ice-breaker Poll Question

What is your school/district’s largest PARCC preparation challenge?

a)  Introducing new online testing vocabulary to students/staff

b)  Fostering Online testing familiarity c)  Helping students prepare for 8-9 hour testing period

“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in ‘Fill-in-the-bubble’ land anymore…”

As you know, it’s very important for students to get a chance to familiarize themselves with testing techniques and vocabulary prior to any assessment.

Challenges include:

•  Online testing within a brick-and-mortar setting

•  New online testing format for students and staff

•  Multi-step and written response questions

•  New testing vocabulary and terms

So, how do we help our students model and practice these new online assessments?

It’s as simple as A, B, C…

Take a three-pronged approach to PARCC preparation:

A.  Focus on new vocabulary and testing terms

B.  Help students practice a variety of online testing examples

C.  Leverage technology and resources to foster experience and familiarity

A) Focus on new vocab and testing terms

The PARCC online assessment questions and interactions contain verbs/actions words that many students have never encountered on a test before.

“Write”

“Drag”

“Select”

“Explain”

Start with modeling, follow up with Practice!

Just like any other instructional strategy, begin by modeling in a full class or group setting:

•  Show students how to identify both the navigation tools and the objective of the question/interaction

Individual Practice is Key

Following the modeling period, facilitate individual practice of different vocab-focused assessment objects.

Let’s take a look at a few modeling and practice strategies!

Poll Question #2

How is your school/district planning to help students practice taking online assessments?

a)  The official PARCC sample items b)  A PARCC-mirroring content software c)  Not sure yet

Scaffold toward Step B

B) Help students practice a variety of online testing examples

•  Begin with action verb & scaffold toward mastering the entire assessment question

Going beyond the action verb…

It’s important that your students understand “drag”, “enter”, etc…

However, putting that specific action verb into practice within a larger objective is a whole different challenge.

“Show and Explain”

PARCC asks students to show basic skills knowledge, and to utilize that knowledge within a higher-order application task.

Including: •  Multi-Step Interactions

•  Word Problem Analysis

•  Written Response

Interactions

Application starts in the classroom…

Build toward the application required by multi-step and analysis questions: •  Write about math everyday

•  Utilize problem-based activities

•  Foster the “accordion effect”

…. And ends in the classroom

Lastly, we have Step C

C) “Leverage technology and resources to foster student experience and familiarity”

8-9 Total Hours of testing?

Today’s students take to digital devices pretty quickly, but are they ready to focus at a computer/tablet for 8-9 total hours of testing (per EdWeek)?

Scaffolding is Key

Quick group-based online quiz periods, 1 or 3 time a week (10-15 minutes)

Individual 30 minute online assessment blocks once a week

50-60 minute individual summative online assessments

Leverage data to improve progress

Finally, be sure that your students are not practicing for the sake of practicing. •  Keep an eye on progress

data and student performance for both skill and concept development.

Quick Review

Take a three-pronged approach to your school/district’s PARCC preparation: A.  Focus on new vocabulary and testing terms

B.  Expose students to online testing style and grading structure

C.  Leverage technology and resources to foster experience and

familiarity

Questions or Comments?

Contact info:

www.wowzers.com Zack Blois Email: zach@wowzers.com Phone: 312-273-1340

Poll Question #3

Are you interested in learning more about the Wowzers PARCC math assessment solution? a)  Yes

b)  No

PARCC Practice makes perfect!

Many of the images in this webinar were taken directly from the Wowzers PARCC-mirroring math quizzes! Learn more about how Wowzers can help prepare your students for the PARCC math assessments at: info.wowzers.com/special-parcc-offer