Monday. Third period world history. It was standardized test day.
I just went on a search to find where I'd explained this particular test, and it appears I have yet to do so. Even though I've administered this thing many, many times. Basically, it's designed to figure out where the kiddos are in relation to their grade level. So, do they read at grade level, above, or below? Same with math. And then they test them twice a year to see if they've improved and if so by how much.
I had warned the kiddos that we'd be doing the test, so they weren't surprised. I informed the class that I would be giving them extra credit points if they did not incur the wrath of the slow-down sloth.
In an effort to reduce rapid guessing (thereby making the test results worthless), if the students go too fast at any point, their test gets paused and they get a screen with a sloth that says "slow down". It is then my job to remind the kiddos that they aren't to just guess, they should actually try to figure out the answers, and then I release the test again so they can finish.
I logged in from my end and gave the kiddos their test credentials. (The test is online.)
I was still confirming students when Jalen announced that I might as well give him the release code for the slow-down sloth. We weren't more than two minutes in, and Jalen had already gotten flagged for rapid guessing.
Deep sigh.
If Jalen thought he could just rapid guess his way through the test...
Me: "If you get the slow-down sloth three times, your test is then stopped and you have to do the whole thing over."
Every time before that I've had to warn students of this, I felt bad. Apologetic. This time? I would have enjoyed making Jalen start all the way over.
Jalen did not see the slow-down sloth again.
This is Birgit. I seem to recall kids in y class trying to do the same thing, obviously, without computers. They quickly changed their tune when they realized they couldn’t get out of it. Nothing changes.
ReplyDeleteIt only hurts them in the end. Though, they don't realize this.
DeleteI am continuously amazed at how things have changed over the years. Slow down sloths! In my childhood, there was nothing preventing me from finishing early except knowing I would be sitting there bored, so I would just sit and review all my answers. Then again, we weren't subject to the same type of testing.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with finishing quickly. Many of them do. It's when they just randomly answer questions to "finish" without trying that's the problem.
DeleteThat's a great tool, to try to get them to stop guessing, like the test results don't matter whatsoever to them. Our test results mattered. My father went ballistic if I got below an A-. There would be hell to pay.
ReplyDeleteThe test results don't matter to them. Until they get put in a remedial class that they don't want. But they don't get how the two are related. (These tests aren't for grades. These tests are for the district to measure their knowledge.)
DeleteThat is a great idea. I'm actually surprised Jaden listened and took it slow!
ReplyDeleteHe didn't want to have to do it again. And he would have had to do it all over again if he got the sloth three times.
DeleteI love the name of the tool!
ReplyDeleteIt's a cute image, too. I looked for something online to link to, but alas I could not find one.
DeleteTaking tests now a days sure are different than when I was in school. My grandson showed me is chromebook that he does his schoolwork on and I'm thinking back to my time in school when everything was pencil and paper. lol
ReplyDeleteA Slow Down Sloth sounds fun! Best not to see it though.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great image. We have an example to show the kiddos, so even if they never see it in test, they can see the image.
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