I had the chance to share some online assessment resources with a group of teachers in February. They could name all of the icons below... except one!
They couldn't figure out the top, left icon. That is the icon for The Answer Pad.
The Answer Pad, like the other programs, allows your to assess students in an interactive format.
One thing I like about The Answer Pad is the fact you don't have to have a certain device. You can access it from the website, iOS app, or Android app. This means BYOD classes can use The Answer Pad as well as a one-to-one environment.
Once you create your account, you can start using The Answer Pad without having to enter the first student or question. This is a plus for me! This means one less login/password for students (and me) to remember. I can also ask questions on the fly, which means I am prepared for those teachable moments.
When you select the Quick Connect feature, students enter the session with a Connect Code. Once they are in the session, you can ask a variety of questions. I personally love the drawing question. This may be a little difficult with a mouse, but it forces the students do to more than mark a letter.
The Likert Scale question is also a good question for self assessment. Ask the students who well they feel they understand the material.
You will see the student answers on your screen, which allows you to quickly check who does and does not understand the concept being assessed.
This is an example of a student, Eva, selecting thumbs up for the Up/Down question.
The Answer Pad also allows you to create student accounts and make assessments ahead of time. You can also pay a yearly fee for more features.
For me, however, I like the options available to me in Quick Connect. I can assess my students on the fly using multiple question formats. It doesn't matter the device type and I can see the student responses immediately and adjust the lesson accordingly.
Have you ever tried The Answer Pad? If so, tell us about your experience!
