Editor's Note: As many teachers are preparing to teach online, we are revisiting posts from the ChemEd X archives like this one that might be of help. The author has updated this activity by adding notes specifically to help those teaching remotely. This activity was originally published April 22, 2016. The platform is now all web based and Doug has compiled a list of public assignments that you are free to modify for your own use. Doug Ragan’s Public Library
Although not specifically a chemistry application, I have been using Classkick in my chemistry class as a formative assessment tool and wanted to share the many benefits I have found with it. I use the web based platform with the iPads I have in my classroom but it is also available on Chromebooks, Desktops, and Laptops.
One of the things I love about Classkick is its ease of use. What sets it apart from other apps I use for assessment purposes is that it turns my students iPads into a white board that they can use to SHOW ME THEIR WORK! I have used other apps for multiple choice questions but when it comes to assessments when I need to quickly see the math work of a stoichiometry problem or a drawing of particulate models of atoms and molecules Classkick is a great option. I cannot truly assess these by asking a multiple choice question or even a short answer question. Using this app, I can quickly assess how students are doing and provide all important feedback. For me to truly gain an understanding of what my students are doing, I need to see their work.
Video 1: Providing Feedback in High School Chemistry, Classkick YouTube Channel, Feb 12, 2016
I can also provide lecture slides and write on them as we discuss topics as a class. Another benefit is that I can see all of my students work in real time on my iPad as it shows me each of their screens. The students can virtually raise their hands and I can join in on their screen or I can allow other students to join in on their classmates screens and help one another. I highly recommend that you check it out. The capability to post questions with pictures or with videos, then share those questions with other teachers, makes this an incredibly useful tool.
