Whiteboard.Chat has been my favorite virtual whiteboard for a while because it offers so many features that other online whiteboards do not have. I found the digital math manipulatives and virtual bingo game features to be incredibly helpful tools during online learning. Now, Whiteboard.Chat has added the ability to create and auto-grade assignments, which makes the virtual whiteboard a game-changer for BOTH in-person and virtual learning.
In this post, I will show you how to create gradable assignments and use the auto-grade and self-check features.
If you’re more of a visual person (like me), I have also created a video that provides step-by-step instructions for using all of the grading features in Whiteboard.Chat. Click the image below to start watching!
Create Assignments in Whiteboard.Chat
Whiteboard.Chat has always made it easy to share PDF worksheets and activities with students. Now, you can also insert textboxes with answers and point values. When you assign answers and point values to textboxes, it enables the assignment to be auto-graded.
To create an auto-graded assignment:
- Upload a PDF that contains fill-in-the-blanks or places where students can type a short response.
- Click “Write” (large “T”) on the menu in the left-hand column and select “Textbox (for answers).”
- Create a textbox where the student will type their response.
- Right-click the textbox and select “Add Answers and Points.”
- Type the point value and the correct answer in the box. Keep in mind that you should type the answer EXACTLY as you want students to type it.
Teacher Tip: Right-click the textbox and click “Clone” to create another textbox that is the same size and shape. Drag the textbox where you want it. Then, right-click the textbox to assign a point value and answer to the box. Cloning is a big timesaver!
Complete Whiteboard.Chat Assignments
After you have finished creating the assignment, invite students to complete it by clicking “Invite” in the upper, right-hand corner.
Students complete the assignment by clicking “Write” (large “T”) on the menu in the left-hand column and selecting “Click & Type.” Then, they double-click on a textbox and begin typing their answer.
After students have completed a Whiteboard.Chat assignment, there are many different grading options.
Auto-Grade the Whole Class
The “Auto-Correct all boards” tool is the best option if you are working with the entire class and want them all to be able to check their answers at the same time. This option is also ideal if you want to grade the assignment at a later time and record the grades in a grade book.
To auto-grade the entire class at the same time:
- Select the three dots in the upper, right-hand corner.
- Click “Auto-Correct all boards.”
Immediately after selecting this option, you will see that student boards have a check or an X next to each textbox and a grade at the top of the page.
Teacher Tip: Click “Grid View” at the bottom of the screen to view all the graded assignments at one time. You can also click each individual virtual whiteboard to get a closer look at each student’s work.
Auto-Grade One Virtual Whiteboard
With Whiteboard.Chat, you can easily collaborate and work alongside students virtually. Being able to auto-grade one board at a time allows you to provide instant feedback when working one-on-one or in a small group.
To auto-grade one board at a time:
- Select the three dots in the upper, right-hand corner.
- Click “Open Class Boards.”
- A box will appear on your whiteboard that shows a list of students working on the assignment. Click the three dots next to the name of the student whose assignment you want to grade.
- Select “Auto-Correct” to grade that student’s assignment.
Allow Students to Self-Check Work
One of my favorite new grading tools in Whiteboard.Chat is the tool that enables students to self-check their work.
I like for students to self-check their work at centers. You can easily push out virtual center work to students using Whiteboard.Chat. Then, you can work one-on-one with students while the rest of the class completes and reviews their center assignments.
Teacher Tip: Creating more than one center in Whiteboard.Chat is easy. Using the arrows at the bottom of the screen, you can create more than one board for students to view in a session. Upload a different PDF assignment to each board. Then, students can scroll through the boards and complete each assignment as a separate center.
To create a self-checking assignment:
- Click the Widgets icon in the right-hand column and select “Add Link.”
- Then, select “Auto Correct.”
- Type a name or phrase that will appear on the box that students will click to self-check their work. I usually type “Self-Check” so that it is obvious to the students what will happen when they click on the box.
When students are working, they will see a box with a checkmark on the screen. They will click this box when they have finished the assignment to self-check.
Download Grading Reports
We all know how important data is when it comes to teaching. Whiteboard.Chat allows you to easily download and print reports to document student progress.
To download Whiteboard.Chat reports:
- Select the three dots in the upper, right-hand corner.
- Click “Open Grading Report.”
- A box will appear that lists all of the students. Click “Download Report” to download a CSV report.
Teacher Tip: You can also manually grade assignments in Whiteboard.Chat. To do this, click the student name in the “Grading Report” box. This will show you the student’s board. Click “Write” (large “T” in the left-hand column and select “Manual Grade.” Then, click the spot on that board where you want to type and beginning typing. I use this feature to give a letter grade or provide more detailed student feedback. Anything you type using the manual grade feature will also appear on the CSV report.
Conclusion
These new assignments and grading tools are just a few of the many features that make Whiteboard.Chat my favorite virtual whiteboard for both in-person and virtual learning. These new tools are huge timesavers as they allow teachers to quickly and easily collect students’ grades and data.
If you are interested in learning more about the tools and features that Whiteboard.Chat has to offer, be sure to click the image below and watch my Whiteboard.Chat tutorial for teachers. I highlight many of the other tools that I think teachers will find most helpful including math manipulatives and adding animation to your virtual whiteboards.
You can also receive 20% off any of Whiteboard.Chat’s paid plans by using the promo code WBCVestal. This will enable you to use the platform ad-free, interact with more students at once, and access even more great teaching tools and features.
