My Job Title: Technology Director
My School: K-6, International, Rural
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#1 PeerGrade
Grade 3-Adult
All Subjects
Assessment
Some Training Required
What Does It Do
Peergrade is a tool that takes the headache out of peer assessments. It's like having a digital assistant for group feedback. You set up an assignment, create a rubric (or use one of their templates if you're in a rush), and boom – your students can submit their work right there. Then, it automatically dishes out the submissions to other students for review. The best part? It's all anonymous, so kids tend to be more honest. It even flags if someone's being too harsh or too easy. It saves me tons of time on grading and it's a real game-changer for group projects and writing assignments.
How Might I Use It
In my writing class, I use Peergrade for our monthly essay assignments. Students submit their drafts, and Peergrade distributes them anonymously for peer review. I create a detailed rubric focusing on structure, argument strength, and evidence use. Students give feedback on three peers' essays, which aligns with the ISTE Standard for "Knowledge Constructor" as they critically evaluate and provide constructive feedback. After the peer review, students revise their essays based on the feedback received. This process helps develop their critical thinking and collaborative skills. As a teacher, I review all feedback, which allows me to identify common issues and tailor my instruction accordingly. This approach connects to the ISTE TLP "Learning Catalyst" as I'm facilitating a collaborative, feedback-rich environment that empowers students to take ownership of their learning. The anonymity feature particularly helps shy students gain confidence in giving and receiving feedback.
Quality Indicators on EdTech Index
Interoperable: Project Unicorn Data Interoperability
Safe: iKeepSafe FERPA Certification
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#2 Google Forms
K-12
All Subjects
Assessment
No Training Required
What Does It Do
Google Forms is like the Swiss Army knife of EdTech – it does a bit of everything. For peer assessments, it's a lifesaver. I whip up a form with questions about the assignment, throw in some multiple-choice, maybe a rating scale, and always leave room for comments. Then I share the link, and students can assess each other's work right from their phones or laptops. The responses all land in a neat spreadsheet, which makes it super easy to spot trends or issues. Plus, it plays nice with other Google tools, so I can easily share results or make charts. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done with minimal fuss.
How Might I Use It
I leverage Google Forms for quick, formative peer assessments in my science class. After group presentations on different ecosystems, I create a Form with questions about content accuracy, presentation skills, and visual aids. Students use their devices to evaluate each group's presentation in real-time. This aligns with the ISTE Standard "Innovative Designer" as students learn to give and receive constructive feedback to improve their work. The instant data collection helps me identify areas where the class might need clarification, allowing for immediate discussion. I often project the anonymized results, sparking class-wide conversations about what makes an effective presentation. This use of Google Forms ties into the ISTE TLP "Data-Driven Decision-Maker" as I'm using real-time data to inform and adjust my teaching strategies. The ease of creating and modifying forms also allows me to quickly adapt assessments based on class needs.
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#3 Canvas
K-12
All Subjects
LMS
Heavy Training
What Does It Do
Canvas is like the backbone of my digital classroom, and its peer assessment tool is a real workhorse. It's built right into the system, so there's no need to juggle multiple platforms – everything's in one place. I can set up peer review assignments where students submit their work and then get assigned to review their classmates' submissions. I usually create a rubric to guide the feedback, but students can also leave comments. The cool thing is, I can see all the reviews and even step in if needed. It's not the fanciest tool out there, but it's reliable and gets the job done without any extra fuss. Plus, since it's part of Canvas, it ties in nicely with grades and the course structure.
How Might I Use It
In my history class, I use Canvas's peer assessment tool for our term-long research project. Students submit their project proposals, and Canvas automatically assigns peer reviewers. I create a rubric focusing on research question clarity, source quality, and argument potential. This aligns with the ISTE Standard "Global Collaborator" as students provide feedback to peers, considering diverse perspectives. Students review two proposals, offering suggestions for improvement. After revising based on peer feedback, students submit their final proposals for my review. Throughout the process, I monitor the peer reviews, providing additional comments when necessary. This approach helps students develop critical evaluation skills while refining their own work. It ties into the ISTE TLP "Connected Learner" as I'm modeling and facilitating a collaborative learning process that leverages digital tools. The integration with Canvas's gradebook also helps me track student progress and participation efficiently.
Interoperable: Project Unicorn Data Interoperability, 1EdTech Interoperability Certification
Safe: Student Privacy Pledge, 1EdTech Data Privacy Seal
Evidence-Based: ISTE Seal, Instructure ESSA Tier IV
Inclusive: ISTE Seal
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This list is part of a program to help showcase the work of ISTE Certified Educators. Educators' comments about how a tool should be used or their suggested grade levels are their own views and not verified by ISTE+ASCD.
