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Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote can be effectively used for formative assessment in the classroom. With OneNote, teachers can create digital notebooks where they can collect and organize student work, making it easy to track progress and provide timely feedback. Teachers can use various features of OneNote, such as text, audio, and video recording, to capture student responses and observations during formative assessment activities. They can also use the drawing and highlighting tools to annotate student work and provide specific feedback. OneNote's collaboration capabilities allow for real-time feedback and discussions, enabling teachers to engage in ongoing dialogue with students to support their learning. Overall, OneNote provides a versatile platform for formative assessment, promoting student engagement, personalized feedback, and continuous improvement.

BCE Due Diligence Rating

Low Risk - Use Responsibly

Year Level Suitability Rating

Developmental Considerations

Potential Uses

Microsoft OneNote can be used to enhance Formative Assessment in the classroom. 

Brainstorm to Success

Digital Portfolios

Teachers can create individual student notebooks in OneNote to serve as digital portfolios. They can collect and organize student work, including assignments, projects, and assessments, in one place. This allows teachers to track student progress over time and provide ongoing feedback.

Image by John Schnobrich

Collaborative Feedback

OneNote's collaboration features enable teachers to provide feedback to students in real-time. Teachers can use the drawing and highlighting tools to annotate student work, add comments, or ask questions. Students can then respond and engage in a dialogue with their teacher, promoting a collaborative and iterative approach to formative assessment.

Image by Jaredd Craig

Observation and Documentation

Teachers can use OneNote to document observations of student learning during class activities. They can take notes, record audio or video clips, and capture photos of student work. This provides a comprehensive record of student performance and allows for more accurate and detailed formative assessment.

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Goal Setting and Reflection

OneNote allows students to set goals, track their progress, and reflect on their learning. Teachers can create templates or prompts for students to set goals, record achievements, and reflect on their strengths and areas for growth. This promotes metacognition and self-assessment skills, empowering students to take ownership of their learning.

Image by Dan Cristian Pădureț

Interactive Assessments

Teachers can create interactive quizzes, surveys, or self-assessment activities using OneNote. Students can complete these assessments directly in their notebooks, and teachers can provide immediate feedback. This helps identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement, allowing for timely intervention and personalized instruction.

PHYSICAL

COGNITIVE

SENSORY

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

Accessibility Features

Keyboard Shortcuts: OneNote provides a range of keyboard shortcuts, allowing individuals with physical disabilities to navigate and interact with the application without relying on a mouse or touch input.

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Dictation and Voice Commands: OneNote supports dictation and voice commands, enabling individuals with physical disabilities to input text and control the application using their voice.

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External Device Compatibility: OneNote is compatible with various external devices, such as adaptive keyboards, switches, or alternative input devices, allowing individuals with physical disabilities to interact with the application using their preferred assistive technology.

Simplified Interface: OneNote offers a clean and intuitive interface, reducing visual clutter and complexity, which can benefit individuals with cognitive disabilities by providing a more focused and less overwhelming user experience.

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Text-to-Speech: OneNote includes a text-to-speech feature that can read aloud text content, supporting individuals with cognitive disabilities in comprehending and processing written information.

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Tagging and Organization: OneNote allows users to tag and organize their notes, making it easier for individuals with cognitive disabilities to categorize and locate information efficiently.

High Contrast Mode: OneNote offers a high contrast mode, enhancing visibility and readability for individuals with visual impairments or sensitivity to bright light.

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Screen Reader Compatibility: OneNote is compatible with screen readers, enabling individuals with visual impairments to access the content through audio feedback.

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Closed Captioning: OneNote supports closed captioning, providing individuals with hearing impairments access to audio or video content through text-based captions.

Collaboration Tools: OneNote enables real-time collaboration, allowing individuals with social or emotional disabilities to engage in group activities, share ideas, and collaborate with peers in a supportive and inclusive environment.

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Digital Inking: OneNote's digital inking feature provides a creative outlet for individuals with social or emotional disabilities, allowing them to express themselves visually and engage in self-expression activities.

Making Functional Adjustments

PHYSICAL ADJUSTMENTS

  • Digital Accessibility: Teachers can ensure that OneNote is accessible to students with physical disabilities by providing options for touch, pen, or keyboard input, based on individual needs and abilities.

  • Adaptive Devices: Teachers can integrate adaptive devices, such as styluses, external keyboards, or alternative input devices, to enhance accessibility and accommodate students with physical disabilities in using OneNote effectively.

  • Digital Inking: OneNote's digital inking feature allows students with physical disabilities to write, draw, or annotate using a stylus or their finger, providing an alternative method for expressing their ideas and participating in formative assessment activities.

SENSORY ADJUSTMENTS

  • Visual Enhancements: Teachers can adjust the color contrast, font size, or use high-contrast mode in OneNote to accommodate students with visual impairments or sensitivity to light during formative assessment activities.

  • Screen Reader Compatibility: OneNote is compatible with screen readers, allowing students with visual impairments to access the content through audio feedback during formative assessment activities.

  • Closed Captioning: Teachers can provide closed captioning for any audio or video content shared in OneNote, ensuring accessibility for students with hearing impairments during formative assessment activities.

COGNITIVE ADJUSTMENTS

  • Simplified Instructions: Teachers can provide clear and concise instructions within OneNote, breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps to support students with cognitive disabilities in understanding and completing formative assessment activities.

  • Visual Organization: Teachers can use OneNote's organization tools, such as sections, pages, and tags, to visually structure information, making it easier for students with cognitive disabilities to comprehend and navigate the content.

  • Multimodal Learning: Teachers can incorporate visual elements, such as images, diagrams, or videos, into OneNote to support students with cognitive disabilities in understanding and retaining information.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENTS

  • Collaborative Support: Teachers can create a supportive and inclusive environment within OneNote by encouraging peer collaboration, providing opportunities for positive feedback, and fostering a sense of community among students with social/emotional disabilities during formative assessment activities.

  • Emotional Expression: OneNote allows students to express their thoughts and emotions through text, drawings, or multimedia elements, providing an outlet for self-expression and communication for students with social/emotional disabilities.

  • Flexible Learning Environment: Teachers can use OneNote to provide a flexible learning environment, allowing students with social/emotional disabilities to access their notebooks remotely, providing a comfortable and familiar space for learning and engagement.

Support for Universal Design for Learning

Multiple Means of Representation

Microsoft Whiteboard provides various tools and features that support multiple means of representation. Teachers can use visual elements, such as drawings, diagrams, or images, to present information in different formats, catering to diverse learner needs. They can also incorporate multimedia elements, such as videos or audio recordings, to provide multiple modalities for accessing information, ensuring that students can comprehend and engage with the content in ways that work best for them.

Multiple Means of Engagement

Microsoft Whiteboard promotes multiple means of engagement by providing a flexible and interactive learning environment. Teachers can design formative assessment activities on the Whiteboard that cater to different interests, preferences, and levels of challenge, ensuring that students are motivated and engaged in the learning process. The collaborative nature of Whiteboard allows for peer interaction, feedback, and social learning, fostering a sense of community and promoting active engagement among students.

Multiple Means of Expression

Microsoft Whiteboard offers a range of tools and functionalities that support multiple means of action and expression. Students can actively participate in formative assessment activities by using the digital inking feature to draw, annotate, or write on the Whiteboard. They can also collaborate with peers, share ideas, and express their understanding through discussions or interactive activities. Whiteboard's interactive nature allows for flexible and varied ways for students to demonstrate their understanding and express their ideas.

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