Since computers are in our lives to stay, they have become an integral part of the assessment process in school. We must prepare our kindergarteners adequately for these computer assessments. How do we prepare our new kindergarteners for these tests? Here are some tips on computer assessment preparations.
Preparing for Computer Assessments
What do they need to know?
Most students are familiar with screens such as smartphones, Ipads, tablets and other hand-held devices. However, they may not be acquainted with a laptop or a desktop computer. This becomes your job to instruct and explain how to use these computers. Each element of the computer, such as on/off switch, mouse, trackpad and keyboard, must be thoroughly demonstrated and explained. These components, the proper use and procedures must be understood by your little learners before testing occurs.
Here is an excellent resource for teaching computer keyboard skills for little learners.
Make sure you give precise and explicit instruction on the directions for the test. If they are not following the exact guidelines, it could negatively affect the results. Blog post “Computer Stations in the Kindergarten Classroom” gives ideas and tips on teaching these skills.
Do the earphones work? Is the volume ok? Can they understand the directions/questions through the earphones? Double check with each student before they begin the test. One time I had a student that scored so poorly, I was flabbergasted at the score because this student was doing so well on my evaluations. Come to find out, the student could not hear through the ear phones and had guessed on every answer. It would have saved a lot of angst had I checked if the earphones worked!!!
Does the mouse/pad work? Are the batteries new or fairly new in the mouse? Does the student know how to use it? Make sure they are fully educated on the usage before they begin the testing.
Another activity I love to use before the testing is Goal Setting Cards. We talk about what we have learned and what score/results each student wants to achieve thus creating a “goal”. I have the students fill out these cards choosing reasonable goals for the testing. We then talk about how to reach and obtain these goals. After the testing, we review the results, compare to their cards and talk about if they met the goals and how to improve. More goal setting activities here.
What do they do after the computer assessment is completed? Make sure you have an activity for the student to engage in after they complete their test so they are not bothering others while testing. This is a great time for more individual reinforcement activities using the sensory table or work stations. Click here for Sensory Table ideas or Work Station ideas.
What computerized assessment testing program do you use? Check out blog post “Best Assessments for Kindergarten” for an easy to use program for all your assessment needs.
Would you like a computer program to help with teach your young students how to use a mouse and trackpad? Check out this Tik Tok video.
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