Tag: Formative Assessments

Class Saathi at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas

Posted on by clusterone

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) is a system of central schools for talented students predominantly from rural areas in India. A rigorous entrance examination called the JNV Selection Test selects these students.

JNVs are fully residential and co-educational schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi, with classes from VI to XII in English, Hindi, and regional languages.

TagHive, a technology company founded by an IITian, and JNV schools are making joint efforts in increasing the learning outcomes of students and optimizing the classes for the teachers with our Class Saathi line of assessment solutions.

We believe that for a classroom to be truly smart, the teacher needs to understand the voice of every student, and Class Saathi enables just that. Using the clicker device, teachers are able to engage every student and get insights into their learning to be able to create a contextualized strategy.

Teachers and School Principal from JNV, Sangareddy (Telangana) after Class Saathi Phase 1 orientation
Teachers and School Principal from JNV, Sangareddy (Telangana) after Class Saathi Phase 1 orientation

Currently, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas deployed Class Saathi in 5 schools:

  1. JNV Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
  2. JNV Mungeshpur, Delhi
  3. JNV Palghar, Maharashtra
  4. JNV RangaReddy, Telangana
  5. JNV Alleppey, Kerala

During the first phase of deployment, trainers conducted orientations and training sessions for 45+ teachers and principals from all 5 locations. These sessions took place in the early stages and after mid-term examinations to increase the adoption of Class Saathi. 

Teachers can’t wait to explore the Class Saathi solution in their classrooms and see how learning and engagement improve.

Class Saathi Phase 1 orientation for JNV, Palghar teachers
Phase 1 orientation for JNV, Palghar teachers

The orientation sessions that TagHive conducted, proved to be fruitful in developing a better understanding of the solution’s on-ground effectiveness amongst teachers. Here is a glimpse of some feedback that we received:

1) “The training was very useful. We think that Class Saathi can be beneficial for the students. For next term’s exams, we hope to conduct all revisions using Class Saathi only. We also hope to get in-person training so that our teachers can master Class Saathi.” – Kavya Ma’am (Principal, JNV Bhopal)

Class Saathi Orientation for teachers at JNV, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
Orientation for teachers at JNV, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)

2) “Class Saathi is good, not just for testing students’ knowledge but the clicker system is very useful for creating interest in students for subjects. Quite helpful for teachers to conduct class in an interesting and effective way. The training has helped us understand the features better and I look forward to implementing it soon.” – Shivaji Sir (Principal, JNV Palghar)

TagHive team member explaining mechanics of Class Saathi at JNV, Mungeshpur (Delhi)
Class Saathi at JNV, Mungeshpur (Delhi)

3) “Our training was very beneficial. We have no complaints from the support team as well. Class Saathi has so many useful options (features). We can’t wait for the next refresher training session after vacation.” – Bhoop Sir (Technical Coordinator, JNV Rangareddy)

We are keenly awaiting phase 2 of our deployment with the JNVs wherein we will emphasize how to utilize Class Saathi assessment solutions during regular classroom hours, thus increasing classroom engagement and the performance of students.

What is the Best Solution for Formative Assessment?

Posted on by pankaj.harvard

We have all been part of an academic ecosystem that made exams feel like the apocalypse. We learnt to hate examinations and dreaded that time of the year schools would shut for terminals. It only mattered if you scored 90% or more or came in the top three. Everybody else passed and reached the next level.

Student solving an imagery question
What do you think about exams?

In all fairness, Summative Examinations are not the marker of great student potential. Most education systems are built around the premise of training students to be exam-oriented. No remediation is offered to students who score average or below class average marks since the objective is to either pass or make it to the top three.

If you’re in the top 3, you require no attention or additional coaching. If you score below the class average, you must be grateful that you passed. If you’re in the class average, you can make the choice of aspiring for the top 3 or be at great risk of slipping further.

In this rat race, examinations have somehow become the only priority for teaching instead of it being a framework to target a student’s learning lags. That is why we have decided to intervene, to disrupt this rather ineffective, time-wasting model, by championing Formative Assessments.

We need to first understand what Formative Assessments or FAs are. Simply put, FAs have a diagnostic role in academics in that they are short examinations either after a chapter or a unit, that displays learning lags and helps teachers reflect on each child’s problem areas which in turn, helps them curate better teaching strategies.

Let us quickly look over the advantages of formative assessment:

  1. Regular, short assessment models have proven to give better student results
  2. Have proven to improve student motivation because of its highly learning-driven approach
  3. A foolproof feedback system of a teacher’s ability to teach and a student’s learning gaps
  4. Remediating and closing students’ struggles fosters greater engagement
  5. Makes learning goals more defined and a lot more achievable to students

Now, here’s how Class Saathi has championed formative assessment:

  1. Our working model: We have designed a unique intervention program that uses FAs as a stop-gap method to create more access for students who need support over affirmations.
  2. Our assessments: Are all short, multiple-choice questions that have concepts at the core instead of full chapters. Each question comes with a solution and a video tutorial for a student to use, to review their own performance and learn better.
  3. Data-driven and real-time: Class Saathi offers data-driven and real-time assessment results, allowing students to learn from their mistakes immediately through demonstrative solutions.
  4. Time-saving for both students and teachers: Institutions dread having an FA model as it requires more effort and work from teachers. Class Saathi relieves teachers of the burden by providing a vast collection of quizzes created by leading experts in the country. With quality assured and the burden eliminated, teachers are now free to address student problems without stressing about grunt administrative work.
  5. Transparency: The automated scoring ensures transparency in student results, eliminating any possibility of manipulation. This eliminates any space for teacher-student bias from the learning space.
  6. Creates awareness among various stakeholders: This model of formative assessments creates awareness among all key stakeholders involved in learning. Class Saathi brings together all the teachers, students, parents and administrators in one place. All three parties of facilitation can now target their efforts towards a shared goal: the student!
  7. Eliminates fear: Summative Assessments provides scope for students to be judged by their class performance. With the FA system, Class Saathi creates a safe practise space for students to be in charge of their learning without any fear of judgement from peers, teachers, parents or admins. Class Saathi clearly states its objectives, providing clarity to students. Assessments are for learning and not of learning!

We truly feel that Class Saathi can be a great product for students. What we also believe is that it is a blessing for teachers and administrators since we reduce their administrative burden. With Class Saathi, they have all the time in the world to focus their efforts on what they ideally should – each and every student!

If you’d like to learn more about how Class Saathi works, check out these videos from our YouTube channel:
How Class Saathi Connects All Stakeholders https://youtu.be/blbgwLGGTy0
Virtual Assessments with Class Saathi https://youtu.be/Dq-CvgnyKXU
Class Saathi Homework Solution https://youtu.be/e744_5GUPGg
& Class Saathi Monitoring Solution https://youtu.be/4oLQBo9OzXg
or email us at [email protected] to discuss the best option for you!