The Biggest GradeCam Myths – BUSTED!
The ET Mythbusters have been hard at work busting the biggest GradeCam myths. So, shed those preconceived notions and join us in wading through the top GradeCam myths and taking a closer look at GradeCam, a teacher’s best friend.
More importantly, you don’t have to just take our word for it. GradeCam offers a 30-day free trial that allows you to put GradeCam through its paces in your very own classroom and do you own work at busting GradeCam myths.
MYTH #1: GradeCam is just a bubble sheet.
GradeCam goes far beyond multiple choice as the only question type – so far as to grade handwritten numeric responses (Yes, math teachers…you really did read that line correctly!). You can create any combination of question types on a GradeCam assignment form, including custom multiple choice, True/False, Rubric, Number Grid, Rubric with Capture, and Handwritten Numeric Responses (Aita*). Build any length of form you like with 1 to 1000 questions. You can even create multiple versions for a test!
For those questions that may require a constructed response, GradeCam’s rubric questions allow the teacher to score essay questions, lab demonstrations, project components, or other open-ended subjective activities on a rubric scale. Want to collect handwritten responses digitally in order to grade at a later time? Use the Rubric with Capture question. This provides an area for students to write their answer, which is then scanned as an image along with the rest of the GradeCam form. Teachers can then go into GradeCam and review by question, scoring the responses on a rubric scale. (See it in action in the GIF below.)
MYTH #2: GradeCam is just one more thing I have to add to my current curriculum.
You don’t have to change what you do in the classroom to fit GradeCam; Simply customize the GradeCam form to fit what you already do in your classroom! GradeCam forms can be created to match any of your existing content. Use your current tests or textbook questions or even give verbal questions while students mark answers on a GradeCam form. Then, build the form to match the question types you need. You can present questions by paper test, from a textbook, using a presentation, or verbally.
Need help with building your test? Check out GradeCam’s partnership with Problem Attic, which provides you with 140,000 questions from a variety of sources, which can then be easily tied to a GradeCam answer form.
MYTH #3: GradeCam requires special equipment.
No special equipment required! GradeCam prides themselves on supporting teachers and allowing scanning by a variety of devices so that teachers can use what is already available to them, with no additional purchases necessary. Forms can be scanned using any smartphone, tablet, Chromebook, webcam, or document camera. In addition, like the teacher in the video below, you can even scan 100 tests at a time using a copier/scanner!
MYTH #4: I don’t have time for something else.
It’s an understatement to say teachers have a lot to get done in a school day. Unfortunately, much of that time is spent grading papers, either during a planning period or in the evenings at home. The quick scanning and grading abilities of GradeCam allow teachers to reduce the amount of time spent grading papers, while at the same time providing students with important immediate feedback.
The grade book transfer option will also save teachers loads of time entering grades into the grade book, as it moves all scanned grades into the grade book by simply pressing F8! See it in action and find out how to set up your “magic key” in this GradeCam blog post. Let GradeCam help with grading so you can focus your time back on teaching and student learning (or maybe even a well deserved nap!).
MYTH #5: GradeCam uses a lot of paper.
If you give a similar assignment setup each time, you can easily create a compatible answer key. When printing be sure to select the option to print forms “with a compatible key” as seen in the image. Then just laminate and reuse your class GradeCam forms again and again.
If you are in a 1:1 environment with a school/district GradeCam account, the Student Portal is an option that allows students to take assessments online. This option gives teachers and students the ability to give digital and paper assignments while still having the same access to GradeCam’s powerful reporting tools. And don’t forget all those other types of forms that can be used for non-tests. If you are interested in Student Portal, contact us to set up a pilot for your school!
MYTH #6: GradeCam is for large comprehensive tests, and I don’t give many of those.
GradeCam can be used as a grading timesaver for a variety of different assignment types, not just large comprehensive tests. There is a wide selection of forms that can be customized to match your varied class activities. The video below shows some easy grading timesavers that use score and credit assignment forms, when you just want to use GradeCam to quickly record a final assignment score or a separate rubric scores.
If you use rubric grading in your class for projects, class presentations, writing assignments, or similar activities, create a GradeCam rubric score sheet that can be used along with your standard rubric. Once you have scanned your completed forms, use that handy F8 GradeCam grade transfer button to save time entering grades into your grade book.
GradeCam is wonderful for those quick daily exit tickets as well. This is where those laminated compatible answer keys that can be reused each day really come in handy. You can simply give your exit questions by writing them on the board, sharing in a presentation, or giving them verbally, and students reuse their laminated GradeCam answer forms as an exit ticket.
#EngagingTip: Create a multiple choice question with a response option of “12345,” and have students rate their understanding of the day’s lesson. This allows you to use the Item Analysis report to see instant feedback on each student’s comfort level with the lesson.
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Kate, our GradeCam specialist, loves to geek out looking for different and unique ways that GradeCam can be used in the classroom. She’s also an expert at busting GradeCam myths! Have an idea or question? She would love to work with you to see how GradeCam can enhance your class.
Set up your free trial GradeCam account today or contact us about a school pilot, which provides not only the ability to share assignments and view collective data, but also provides automatic class roster syncing within GradeCam.