WMS: Practice MSP (State Tests) happening this week

Dear Families,

Yesterday I showed my students the state-produced video introduction to the new computerized MSP (our state test). Then we went to the computer lab so that students could practice using the testing environment and its tools. But when looking over the OSPI website, I found out that these practice tools are also available for use at home! This website tells you more about the computerized test: http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting/OnlineTesting.aspx

Demos for use at home:

And on that same page there is a link to things you can use at home, too! Here are the direct links to those.

DEMO VIDEO: http://assets.drcedirect.com/States/WA/Tutorials/Student/201201/201201.html

DEMO Software (WINDOWS): http://wa-insight-client.drcedirect.com/Download/DRC_INSIGHT_Setup_OnlineToolsTraining.exe

DEMO Software (MAC OS): http://wa-insight-client.drcedirect.com/Download/DRC_INSIGHT_Setup_OnlineToolsTraining.dmg

It's all about the words and the numbers: pictures are out!

• I think most challenging difference between the computerized test and the paper test happens when students have to explain their thinking. In the past, your child was told that they could explain their answers using words, numbers, or pictures. But now they are given a text box to type into for their explanation -- and there are no drawing tools or diagramming tools. That means that your child's explanation has to be written completely in words or mathematical symbols. There is a toolbox for typing in fractions and symbols.
• The text box has a counter underneath it and students are only allowed to type in a certain number of characters (symbols and spaces count as characters). Short answers might only allow 10 characters (for typing in something like "324.67 ft" as an answer). Medium answers might allow 50 characters. And the largest text boxes appear to allow 1000 characters. These are characters, however; not words! So students still need to be concise. Clearly this is something that they could definitely use some practice on... and our curriculum just isn't set-up to be able to use these sorts of tools.
• I think it's a good idea to look at these tools online and MAYBE even use the tools to try and answer some homework questions. Kids could use the graphing tools there to make a graph, or type into a text box... then do a screen capture of the thing they produced and print it out. Just a thought. But it would allow them to practice these tools and, really, the tools themselves aren't bad! It's just a shame we don't have constant regular access to them.

Our testing dates have been firmed up and we will be sending information home about when the math and reading tests are happening. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Sincerely,

Brian MacNevin