Web-Based Writing/Scoring Options

August 4, 2005

Mary Hall

Classroom Teacher, Warwick HS

Janet Dubble

Technology Coordinator, IU 13

The Challenge To improve student writing proficiency and

PSSA writing scores

To provide more frequent opportunities for writing with immediate feedback

To improve ELL students’ ability to write in English

The Power of Technology

Allows for immediate scoring and instantaneous reporting to students, teachers, and administrators

Provides teacher reports that point out areas of needed instruction

Frees teachers from initial edit work

Available anywhere, anytime with a computer and an Internet connection

The Power of Technology

Provides feedback for revisions before teacher scoring (eliminates “red marks”)

Allows administrators to track writing assignments in classes (volume, type)

Individualized feedback in native language (Spanish, Chinese, Japanese)

One Solution: My Access! A web-based writing environment that scores

student essays instantly and provides individualized feedback and instruction

Provides teachers with tools to help all students improve their writing skills

Identifies students most in need of direct instruction

My Access! Features Analyzes more than 300 semantic, syntactic, and

discourse characteristics

Provides a holistic score, as well as scores within the 5 major domains tested on the PSSA: Focus & Meaning Organization Content & Development Language Use & Style Mechanics & Conventions

One district’s experience with My Access!

Warwick High SchoolLititz, PA

“Write more, better!” Funded by Warwick Education Foundation

The Learners Writing Skills Classes

Basic or below basic on PSSA Recommended by prior-year teacher ESL/ELL IEP

The Setting Class meeting 1 49-minute period per

day, 5 days per week for 1 semester Averaged 2.5 days per week in

computer lab with 1 MAC OSX and MS Explorer / student for monitored use of My Access! Website

Performance Results

Results of Initial Testing: Holistic and Domain Scores

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Holistic

Focus andMeaningContent

Organization

LanguageUsageConventions

Timed test with no available tools

Results of Initial Testing: Errors Made

Errors Made Continued

Errors Made Total Grammar 42 Mechanics 146 Style 88 Usage 105

Total 381

Results of Final Testing: Holistic and Domain Scores

•Timed test with no available tools

Errors Made

Results of Final Testing: Errors Made Grammar 2 Mechanics 16 Style 10 Usage 31

Total 59

Interpretation of Results 85 % decrease in grammar errors 100% increase in holistic scoring (from

0 to 6 100% increase in domains of focus and

language 83% increase in domains of content,

organization, and conventions

PSSA Results????? To be announced

My Access! From the Student Perspective

Student Tools

Student Tools

Student Tools

Student Tools Writer’s Guide Word Bank Rubrics Check List

NotePad Graphic Organizers Thesaurus/Dictionary Writer’s Model

Student Tools My Tutor Comments from

teacher imbedded in essay

Spelling Checker

My Editor Word Count Print Essay Submit Essay

Student Demo and Reaction

QuickTime™ and aH.263 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Special Needs Students

QuickTime™ and aH.263 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Student Benefits More frequent writing opportunities Immediate scoring and feedback Access to diverse writing tools that

support the writing process Higher level thinking skills

More Student Benefits 24/7 accessibility It’s fun to write! More skills More confidence

Student Comments “…my grades on English essays have

improved too.” “…I would have been lost, if I had not

taken this class.” “…and it is also very fun.” “Now that I have taken this class, I am

well prepared to take the PSSAs and SATs.”

Teacher Tools Set up Groups Set up Assignments View, comment on,

and grade student writing

Create writing prompts (across the curriculum

Print writing prompts Create and view

reports Communicate with

students and parents

Administrator Tools All of teacher tools Monitor student writing

Frequency Type Scores Special groups/programs

Administrative Tools

Contacts

Mary S. HallMary S. HallWarwick High SchoolWarwick High School

717-626-3700717-626-3700mhall@warwick.k12.pa.usmhall@warwick.k12.pa.us

Maria TracyMaria TracyVantage LearningVantage Learning

1-800-230-2213 ext. 11261-800-230-2213 ext. 1126mtracy @vantage.commtracy @vantage.com