Tag: Student Input

I am sure I do not need to list all the benefits of exit tickets, but I will anyway because I use them for all these things: formative assessment, suggestion-box style feedback, student input, discussion starters, and finding out where students are (see Jackson). In my search for exit tickets that worked for me, I needed something that required students to write, to express feelings, ideas, and course concepts (I teach 11th grade English) in their own words as the best indicator of learning, or their struggle in doing so.

I settled on a format I call QCA. The QCA requires each student to ask a question, make a comment, and answer a question I ask. The QCA items can be about content, pacing, preferences, reading material, learning tasks…you get it.

Years ago, I started (most) school weeks by distributing a sheet for the QCA. Each sheet had a block for each day, and each day had spots for Q, C, and A. I asked the question to answer during the last few minutes of class when students filled out the sheet. Students turned in the sheets on Fridays. And here was my biggest problem (other than about 120 extra pieces of paper for the weekend). Many of the questions and comments were irrelevant by the time I saw them. Collecting the sheets daily and redistributing them the next day solved the problem but wasted time. I abandoned the whole thing until…our district made the Google switch. When I learned about Forms, I knew I could bring back the QCA and make it meaningful.

Google Forms allows me to view QCAs quickly and often, although I do not post them daily. With forms, I can also give survey or inventory “Answer” items and see results for all students or by class. Currently, I use an open system for QCAs: I post them at the end of most weeks, but also at the beginning of units, after trying something new, or after a particularly complex lesson. I have made it a point to discuss (within two school days) the most pressing and meaningful questions and comments, and to post responses, questions, and comments that warrant attention to Google Classroom. Another thing I love: students can fill out the Form in class on their phones. No papers to lose. No copies to make or send. Any student without phone access in class can complete the Form later and I can review it in the morning before my first class starts.

Google Forms saved my exit ticket routine! Plus- the cute themes and illustrations that can be added to Forms are super fun!