Monday, December 3, 2012

Socrative


Last week I introduced my class to Socrative.  It is a website that you use as an interactive platform for your class.  You will find it at www.socrative.com.  One of my reading groups used it first to take a short quiz over a book we had just finished reading.  It was a great way for me to assess student understanding, at the same time that we wrapped up discussion of the book.

I first learned about Socrative last March at Edcamp Omaha.  The teacher sets up a virtual classroom.  Students enter the classroom by typing in the room number.  You can either have a single question activity or you can set up a quiz.


When you conduct a single question activity, the teacher asks the class a question verbally, and students respond in writing.  This is a great way to use an interactive whiteboard.  I don't have one, but by setting up my computer with my digital presenter, the whole class can see student answers.  It is a great way to keep students interested and engaged.  My students were eager to write and share their answers.  I narrate the answers as students submit their thoughts, which gives us the opportunity for additional discussion.

Here is an excellent tutorial by James Kapptie, which explains Socrative much better than I have.



I have got to try Space Race with my class. They are going to love it!

If you have not already tried Socrative, I encourage you to give it a try.  If you have used it, I am eager to hear some of the ways you have utilized it.  Please share your ideas.