Tools for formative assessment
Here is a list of digital tools and apps for formative assessment. These tools maybe listed elsewhere on the site but have been grouped here specifically for their ability to capture evidence for formative assessment. Don't forget to also check out the tools listed the Polls, Surveys and Quizzes sections.
AnswerGarden
A tool for online brainstorming or polling. You can use this real time tool to see student feedback on questions.
The Answer Pad
Simple, multipurpose assessment tool for the BYOD classroom
AudioNote
A combination of a voice recorder and notepad that captures both audio and notes for student collaboration.
Backchannel Chat
Similar to TodaysMeet, this site offers a teacher-moderated version of Twitter.
Chatzy
Use Chatzy like you would TodaysMeet, to support backchannel conversations in a private setting. These live chats make great companions to classroom discussion, provide exit tickets, or keep a discussion going after the class is over.
ClassKick
This app allows teachers to post assignments for students so both the teacher and peers can provide feedback on the assignment. Students can monitor their progress and work.
Coggle
A mind mapping tool designed to understand student thinking.
Conceptboard
This software facilitates team collaboration in a visual format – similar to mind mapping, but using visual and textual inputs. Compatible on tablets and PCs, Conceptboard can work from multiple devices.
Edulastic
Powerful formative assessment tool tracks achievement of standards
Edpuzzle
Edpuzzle lets you embed questions in the video, interact with your students, and know how your students are engaging with digital content.
ExitTicket
This app offers teachers the opportunity to poll, test, or survey what students know in quizzes called tickets. This tool is best for gathering simple feedback about what students know and don’t know, and is useful for pre-assessment as well as an exit ticket.
Explain Everything
Let students create videos documenting their learning. (If you want students to read to you or use audio,
Five Card Flickr
Designed to foster visual thinking, this tool uses the tag feature from photos in Flickr.
Flipgrid
Pose questions, spark thoughtful video responses
Fluency Tutor
Allows students to read to you or use audio.
Formative Feedback for Learning
An iPad app that is designed to foster and encourage communication between students and teachers. Through a conference setting it uses icons to prompt discussions.
GoFormative
This online, all-student response system provides teachers the opportunity to assign activities to students, receive the results in real time, and then provide immediate feedback to students.
Google Forms
A Google Drive app that allows you to create documents that students can collaborate on in real time using smartphones, tablets and laptops.
GoSoapBox
Free for less than 30 students, this all student response system works with the BYOD model, so no charge for a clicker. It also has a Confusion Meter.
iBrainstorm
An iPad app that allows students to collaborate on projects using a stylus or their finger on screen.
Jot
Use like individual whiteboards to express ideas and understanding.
Let’s Recap
Let students create videos documenting their learning. (If you want students to read to you or use audio,
Lino
A virtual corkboard of sticky-notes so students can provide questions or comments on their learning. These can be used like exit tickets or during the course of a lesson.
Mentimeter
Allows you to use mobile phones or tablets to vote on any question a teacher asks, increasing student engagement.
Naiku Teachers can easily and quickly create quizzes that students can answer using their mobile device. Great for checking for understanding before and after a lesson.
Nearpod
Allows you to not only gather evidence of student learning but you can also create differentiated lessons based on the data you collected. The basic version (30 students or less) is free.
Padlet
Provides an essentially blank canvas for students to create and design collaborative projects. Great for brainstorming.
Pear Deck
Plan and build interactive presentations that students can participate via their smart device. Limited free usage and it offers unique question types.
Plickers
Allows teachers to collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices. Perfect for the one-device classroom.
ProProfs
Build and test knowledge with quick quizzes, polls and surveys.
Quia
Teachers can create games, quizzes, surveys and more, and access a database of existing quizzes from other educators.
QuickVoice Recorder
Another free voice recording app for the iPhone or iPad that allows you to record classes, discussions or other project audio files. You can sync your recordings to your computer easily for use in presentations.
Seesaw
Allows a teacher to listen to and give feedback on their work after class or at another time.
Socrative
Engaging exercises and games that engage students using smartphones, laptops and tablets.
Verso
Described as a feedback tool, this app allows teachers to set up learning using a URL. Students download the app and input their responses to the assignment. They can then post their comments and respond to the comments of others. The teacher can group responses and check engagement levels.
VoiceThread
Allows you to create and share conversations on documents, diagrams, videos, pictures or almost anything. This facilitates collaborative student discussion and work.
Vocaroo
A free service that allows users to create audio recordings without the need for software. You can easily embed the recording into slide shows, presentations, or websites.
AnswerGarden
A tool for online brainstorming or polling. You can use this real time tool to see student feedback on questions.
The Answer Pad
Simple, multipurpose assessment tool for the BYOD classroom
AudioNote
A combination of a voice recorder and notepad that captures both audio and notes for student collaboration.
Backchannel Chat
Similar to TodaysMeet, this site offers a teacher-moderated version of Twitter.
Chatzy
Use Chatzy like you would TodaysMeet, to support backchannel conversations in a private setting. These live chats make great companions to classroom discussion, provide exit tickets, or keep a discussion going after the class is over.
ClassKick
This app allows teachers to post assignments for students so both the teacher and peers can provide feedback on the assignment. Students can monitor their progress and work.
Coggle
A mind mapping tool designed to understand student thinking.
Conceptboard
This software facilitates team collaboration in a visual format – similar to mind mapping, but using visual and textual inputs. Compatible on tablets and PCs, Conceptboard can work from multiple devices.
Edulastic
Powerful formative assessment tool tracks achievement of standards
Edpuzzle
Edpuzzle lets you embed questions in the video, interact with your students, and know how your students are engaging with digital content.
ExitTicket
This app offers teachers the opportunity to poll, test, or survey what students know in quizzes called tickets. This tool is best for gathering simple feedback about what students know and don’t know, and is useful for pre-assessment as well as an exit ticket.
Explain Everything
Let students create videos documenting their learning. (If you want students to read to you or use audio,
Five Card Flickr
Designed to foster visual thinking, this tool uses the tag feature from photos in Flickr.
Flipgrid
Pose questions, spark thoughtful video responses
Fluency Tutor
Allows students to read to you or use audio.
Formative Feedback for Learning
An iPad app that is designed to foster and encourage communication between students and teachers. Through a conference setting it uses icons to prompt discussions.
GoFormative
This online, all-student response system provides teachers the opportunity to assign activities to students, receive the results in real time, and then provide immediate feedback to students.
Google Forms
A Google Drive app that allows you to create documents that students can collaborate on in real time using smartphones, tablets and laptops.
GoSoapBox
Free for less than 30 students, this all student response system works with the BYOD model, so no charge for a clicker. It also has a Confusion Meter.
iBrainstorm
An iPad app that allows students to collaborate on projects using a stylus or their finger on screen.
Jot
Use like individual whiteboards to express ideas and understanding.
Let’s Recap
Let students create videos documenting their learning. (If you want students to read to you or use audio,
Lino
A virtual corkboard of sticky-notes so students can provide questions or comments on their learning. These can be used like exit tickets or during the course of a lesson.
Mentimeter
Allows you to use mobile phones or tablets to vote on any question a teacher asks, increasing student engagement.
Naiku Teachers can easily and quickly create quizzes that students can answer using their mobile device. Great for checking for understanding before and after a lesson.
Nearpod
Allows you to not only gather evidence of student learning but you can also create differentiated lessons based on the data you collected. The basic version (30 students or less) is free.
Padlet
Provides an essentially blank canvas for students to create and design collaborative projects. Great for brainstorming.
Pear Deck
Plan and build interactive presentations that students can participate via their smart device. Limited free usage and it offers unique question types.
Plickers
Allows teachers to collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices. Perfect for the one-device classroom.
ProProfs
Build and test knowledge with quick quizzes, polls and surveys.
Quia
Teachers can create games, quizzes, surveys and more, and access a database of existing quizzes from other educators.
QuickVoice Recorder
Another free voice recording app for the iPhone or iPad that allows you to record classes, discussions or other project audio files. You can sync your recordings to your computer easily for use in presentations.
Seesaw
Allows a teacher to listen to and give feedback on their work after class or at another time.
Socrative
Engaging exercises and games that engage students using smartphones, laptops and tablets.
Verso
Described as a feedback tool, this app allows teachers to set up learning using a URL. Students download the app and input their responses to the assignment. They can then post their comments and respond to the comments of others. The teacher can group responses and check engagement levels.
VoiceThread
Allows you to create and share conversations on documents, diagrams, videos, pictures or almost anything. This facilitates collaborative student discussion and work.
Vocaroo
A free service that allows users to create audio recordings without the need for software. You can easily embed the recording into slide shows, presentations, or websites.