Track student performance using spreadsheets

Author:CrowdED Learning
What: Use spreadsheets to self-monitor progress
Learners use an online spreadsheet as the rubric for assessing their work over the course of a lesson, a unit or other period of instruction. With all of the information captured in one place, learners can regularly analyze their ratings and identify areas of growth and areas where they need support.

Why: Self-monitoring

Setting up a spreadsheet as a rubric clarifies class criteria for learners and provides a consistent way for them to reflect on their performance. By sharing a separate copy of the spreadsheet with each learner, you can gain insight into your learners’ self-view and have a private space for ongoing communication and feedback between the two of you.

Evidence-Based Strategies

This routine is supported by the following strategies:

Self-monitoring Formative Assessment Immediate Feedback

How: Google Sheets

Create a Google Sheet with column headings for each of the criteria you’d like learners to use for self-evaluation. For example, identify criteria such as punctuality, completion, and accuracy, along with a rating scale (for example 1-4 points). Add formulas so learners track their totals. Use commenting tools or include columns for ongoing learner reflection and instructor feedback. Plan regular meetings with individual students to review their spreadsheet.

EdTech Tool Types: Productivity: Spreadsheets

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LL.3 Set Goals and Reflect

Lifelong learning requires people to set goals, identify the skills needed to achieve those goals, and reflect on progress towards developing those skills. In addition to entering their ratings on the spreadsheet, encourage learners to ask themselves: “What categories seem to be strengths to me? What categories seem to be challenging to me? What steps can I take to overcome those challenges?”

WO.8 Create Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are versatile tools you can use to organize information and tasks, perform calculations, track information over time, and more. When demonstrating how to score the rubric, help learners notice that the sheet is calculating numerical data by asking, “What happens when I add numbers to rows in a column?” “Suppose we want to add another lesson, week or unit to the sheet. How do you think we could do that?” Prompt learners to consider other uses for a spreadsheet. Ask: “Why is this a useful tool for organizing information? What other types of information (personal, community, academic, or workplace) would you want to organize and track using a spreadsheet?”