What is ASSISTments?

Summary

Math teachers often face challenges in providing immediate, personalized feedback, which can hinder student progress. An online tool addresses this issue by offering real-time feedback for students and actionable data for teachers. This allows teachers to adjust instruction based on student performance and maximize learning time. A study showed that using the tool resulted in significant improvements in student performance, especially among lower-achieving students, closing the achievement gap. This tool, which integrates with platforms like Google Classroom and Canvas, has been proven to enhance math learning and is free and adaptable to various teaching needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers often assign problems for students to complete without immediate feedback, making it hard for students to track their progress.
• 😀 Teachers don't always know how well students understand their assignments, which can hinder their ability to provide timely help.
• 😀 Some students are hesitant or embarrassed to ask for help, even if they need it, leading to disengagement in the classroom.
• 😀 In an ideal world, teachers would be able to provide personalized feedback instantly and use data to guide their instruction effectively.
• 😀 Online assessments provide a solution by offering immediate feedback to students while giving teachers actionable data on student performance.
• 😀 Teachers can assign content from their preferred curriculum or custom problem sets through online assessments that integrate with platforms like Google Classroom and Canvas.
• 😀 With online assessments, students receive immediate support as they work through assignments, reinforcing their learning process.
• 😀 Teachers get valuable reports and data insights that help them assess student performance and plan future lessons more effectively.
• 😀 Assessments help teachers maximize learning time by focusing on areas where students need more support, and creating a feedback-driven environment.
• 😀 Teachers can save time and use it to explore tougher problems, target specific skill areas, or move on to new lessons with the extra time gained.
• 😀 Research shows that using assessments improves student learning, with teachers changing their practices and students scoring higher on standardized tests, especially those with lower prior achievement.

Q & A

Why do math teachers face challenges when assigning homework or class problems?

Math teachers face challenges because students do not receive immediate feedback, making it difficult for them to gauge their progress. Additionally, teachers cannot immediately assess how well students have understood the material.

What happens when teachers go over assignments in class?

When teachers review assignments, some students raise their hands and ask for help, while others who need assistance may feel disengaged or embarrassed to ask.

What is the ideal scenario for providing feedback to students on assignments?

In an ideal scenario, teachers would be able to provide personalized and helpful feedback immediately as students complete their assignments, using data to quickly assess progress and target areas for improvement.

How does the online assessment tool help teachers and students?

The tool provides students with immediate feedback on their work while offering teachers actionable data to guide their instruction, ensuring that learning is tailored to student needs.

What are the first steps teachers take when using the assessment tool?

First, teachers assign content from their preferred curriculum or custom problem sets. The tool integrates with platforms like Google Classroom and Canvas.

How do students benefit from the immediate feedback provided by the tool?

Students benefit by receiving instant feedback as they work, which supports their learning and helps them identify areas where they may need additional help or practice.

What kind of data do teachers receive from the assessment tool?

Teachers receive reports with data insights that assess student performance, allowing them to evaluate learning progress and plan future lessons accordingly.

How does the assessment tool help maximize learning time?

By providing actionable data, the tool helps teachers focus on areas where students need the most help. This targeted approach allows teachers to create an atmosphere of continuous feedback, optimizing learning time.

What were the results of the experiment conducted by SRI International regarding the assessment tool?

The experiment showed that teachers using the assessment tool changed their classroom practices effectively, and students scored higher on standardized tests, with a 75% increase in learning compared to typical yearly progress. Additionally, students with lower achievement the prior year saw even greater benefits, helping to narrow the achievement gap.

What recognition did the assessment tool receive based on the study conducted by SRI International?

The study led to the assessment tool receiving a Tier 1 rating from Evidence for ESSA and the What Works Clearinghouse, recognizing it as one of the few interventions proven to be effective in improving mathematics learning.