Face to Face Staff Development: Plickers

Needs Assessment for EJMS

Martha HillFRIT 7739

Grades 6-8 Assessment and Data with the Web 2.0 Tool: Plickers

INTRODUCTIONAs an educator with the demand for the accumulation of data; both formative and

summative, it is imperative to utilize methods in the classroom to assess and to

remediate instruction quickly and thoroughly. One method that is being used is the Web

2.0 tool: Plickers. With minimal setup, a teacher may enter multiple classes, create

quizzes, and then administer the quiz to a classroom for quick assessment of material

covered.

BACKGROUNDThe state of Georgia and Jackson County schools are committed to the vision of student

achievement through innovative instruction, the use of technology, and data driven

curriculum planning. Based on this premise, the target school of East Jackson Middle

School (EJMS) will be the recipients of the Face-to-Face Staff Development in the creation

and use of Plickers. EJMS is a Title I School in a rural county with an enrollment of 560

students. Eighth grade is housed in a wing at EJCHS as an 8th Grade Academy, and the

remaining students are housed at the middle school (sixth and seventh grades) with an

enrollment of 210 and 170 students respectively. Students are represented below in the

district marked East Jackson Elementary School zone.

MATERIALS1. Pre-Assessment Survey: Survey Monkey

PROCEDURE1. A survey was given to all EJMS teachers to assess the need for a tool to administer

quizzes, monitor growth, and to collect data with a Web 2.0 tool: Plickers.

NEED EVALUATION

Teacher Description Comment Grade Level/ Subject Taught

1. FemaleFamiliar with Web 2.0 tools for assessment, but not Plickers

6th grade Math

1

2. Female Loves new technology! 8th grade ELA

3. Female Not savvy, but willing to try 8th grade Science

RESULTS: Out of three attempts to collect pre-assessment data, I received three responses to my

Plickers Staff Development Survey. These participants were entirely receptive to the

Plickers Staff Development and were 100 % in agreement for the need to have an easy

and easily implemented data collection tool. One was a respondent from the sixth grade

that is apparently technologically inclined in her classroom, but has not experienced the

Plickers tool. The other two respondents were from the middle school, and again had

not tried the tool, but the ELA teacher was a technology user in the classroom, whereas,

the eighth grade Science teacher was willing to try despite being uncomfortable with

technology use.

CONCLUSIONIt was disappointing to create a survey for the Staff Development and after sending it out

system-wide to the EJMS staff, to receive so little feedback. After three attempts, I

decided to utilize the data received, and since it was overwhelmingly positive, I forged

ahead with my plan to deliver the Plickers Staff Development. This survey was given out

at the beginning of the school year, and I know personally that it is an overwhelming

time for teachers, so I contribute the lack of response to that reasoning.

RESOURCES1. Survey Monkey Site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/home/

2. Plickers.com: https://plickers.com/

3. Jackson County School System Website: http://jackson.k12.ga.us/index.php?

option=com_content&view=featured&Itemid=100001

2