The project will adopt OneNote for Classroom in order to implement the chosen pedagogical model. We will explore the opportunities that OneNote provides for efficiently integrating formative assessment into instruction. In choosing the digital tool, the following considerations have been important:
1. Suitability
Suitability of the selected digital tool for implementation of formative assessment was a key concern. OneNote for Classroom has many features which make it particularly appropriate as a tool for implementing formative assessment. It allows students and tutors to work in both a shared workspace and individual workspace. Each “class notebook” includes a teacher’s area (which students can view but not contribute to), a collaborative area (where both students and teachers can contribute content), as well as individual areas for each student (accessed only by that student and the teacher). These features allow both students and tutors to monitor progress, rather than simply review the final products.
2. Availability
A particular digital tool is more likely to be adopted in instruction if it is freely available. OneNote for Classroom is part of the Office365 package. All major teacher training institutions have access to Office365.
3. User-friendliness
As part of the Office package, the OneNote interface and many of its features should already be familiar and intuitive to those using other Office programs (such as Word). OneNote also communicates well with other Office programs.
4. Quality and support
Being developed by a major technology company, OneNote comes with quality assurance and excellent online support. Feedback from teachers is continually considered by Microsoft as it makes improvements to the program.
5. Broad functionality
Though the current project focuses on formative assessment, it is worth noting that the potential of OneNote for supporting teachers’ work goes far beyond this specific aspect of teaching and learning.