When you are learning a language and increasing your vocabulary, spelling tests are an integral part of learning. No matter what age you are we all have words we spelt wrong initially and they are not stuck in our heads. This article will show you how to take your spelling tests online.
Here are some simple ways of running a spelling test online:
- Google Forms
- Spelling Test Generator
- Home Spelling Words
- Spell Quiz
- Learning Management System
- Moodle
- Blackboard
- Canvas
Now you know what the most commonly used quizzing methods are. Let’s explore out what steps you must perform to give an online spelling test to your students.
Google Forms
Google Forms is one of the most popular online solutions when it comes to creating surveys or quizzes. It can be successfully used for testing your students. It can be used free of charge for anyone with a Google account or incorporated into your Google Classroom.
How To Create A Spelling Test Using Google Forms
To create a Google Forms spelling test you have to perform the following steps:
- Log into your Google account
- Create a new Google Docs form
- Select the ‘Quiz’ layout
- Make the necessary settings
- Add content
- Share the test with your students
Step 1 – Log into your Google account
Before creating a spelling test using Google Forms you have to log into your Google account. If you do not have a previously created account you can learn how to create one for free here.
Step 2 – Create a new Google Docs form
After you log into your Google account, go to Google Docs – Forms section, and create a new blank form.
Unless you select a certain template your new form will be blank and without any content.
Step 3 – Select the ‘Quiz’ layout
To define your new form as a quiz, you have to perform the following substeps:
- Click on the ‘Settings’ button
- Go to the ‘Quizzes’ section
- Turn on the ‘Make this a quiz’ function
In the ‘Quizzes’ section, you will find various settings that may enhance your students’ experience during the test.
Step 4 – Make the necessary settings
There are multiple adjustments that can be done before releasing the test. For example, you can turn on the ‘Collect email addresses’ function. This way you will be able to track what students have taken part into the test.
Another useful tool is the ‘Limit to 1 response’ function. It requires your students to sign in using a Google account. By ticking this box they will be allowed to take only one attempt for the test.
There are many more features that you can use during the examination. Make sure you review the enabled tools before releasing the test. This way, you avoid allowing your students to take advantage of unfair plugins (e.g. Edit after submit function).
Step 5 – Add content
Content is the most important part of your quiz. To create a proficient test, you should perform the following steps:
- Create a ‘name’ question
- Add spelling questions
- Set up answer keys
‘Name’ Question
This should be the first question that your students see after launching the test. It allows your students to input their names so that you can keep track of each student’s grade.
Apart from this question, you can create additional administrative questions. This type of questions you ask should allow the students to state their class, first name, surname, or other relevant information.
Spelling Questions
Depending on the type of spelling task you are giving you can choose among the available answer formats:
- Short answer (commonly used)
- Paragraph
- Multiple choice
- Dropdown
Fill in the question and tick the ‘Required’ box. Depending on the type of answer, you should or should not provide possible answers or guidelines. For example, if the question is a multiple-choice question, enter possible answers using the ‘Add option’ function.
Answer Keys
Make sure you press the ‘Answer key’ button to add the correct answer for each question. This way Google Forms will automatically grade your students’ submissions using the answer you have provided.
Apart from selecting the correct answer (or choice) do not forget to set the desired number of points per question.
Step 6 – Share the test with your students
Google Forms provides different sharing methods. After performing all the prior steps click on the ‘Send’ button and choose how you want to share the test with your students.
You can share the test with your students using the following methods:
- Email Invitation
- Direct Link
- Embedded HTML
How To Check Students’ Submissions
To check your students’ grades and submissions go to the ‘Responses’ section. There you will find all the entries submitted to your test.
You can also create a downloadable spreadsheet that contains all your students’ answers and marks. If you want to make the test unavailable for your students, simply untick the ‘Accepting responses’ function. This will prevent them from sending any answers to your questions until you turn the test back on.
If you want to learn more about Google Forms and its powerful features, I recommend checking out these articles:
ARTICLE: Create & grade quizzes with Google Forms
ARTICLE: 6 ways Quizzes in Google Forms are getting smarter
Home Spelling Words
This website provides online resources for spelling classes. If you are an online spelling teacher, you should take advantage of the available resources and integrate them into your course.
Apart from the online resources you can create your own spelling tests online using their built-in quiz wizard.
Standard Or Personalized Spelling Tests
All you have to do to create a personalized spelling test is to follow these steps:
- Log into your account
- Go to ‘Manage Lists’
- Click on ‘Make My Lists’
- Select the students you want to assign to the list
- Choose a name for your list and press the ‘Add’ button
- Select word’s difficulty (basic, challenge, or super challenge)
- Add the word and a relevant practice sentence
- Click the ‘Add’ button
- Repeat for every word you want to enter
After creating your custom list your students. you will be able to take tests based on the words you have typed in. The list can be used for games, practice, or quizzes.
To use the platform’s features you have to pay for a monthly subscription. You can check the prices for every type of membership here.
If you do not have enough time to create a custom test for your students you can use one of the spelling tests available on the website. These quizzes are divided into several categories according to your students’ level (kindergarten to 9th grade).
The website will automatically grade your students’ submissions. You will receive a copy of their work via email as well as a spreadsheet containing all the grades.
SpellQuiz
This platform features multiple spelling tests that you can give to your students. The quizzes are divided into categories in accordance with your students’ educational level. The first level is called Sight Words while the most advanced difficulty is called Adult.
Using the free subscription your students can only take up to 20 tests, regardless of the difficulty. The platform features a user-friendly interface. Sochildren will not encounter any problem accessing the website and clicking on the right buttons.
Apart from the spelling tests the website has a special section called ‘Quizzes’. There you can find several fun quizzes that you can give to your students.
How To Give A Spelling Test Using SpellQuizz
To give an effective test to your students using SpellQuizz all you have to do is to provide them clear instructions for accessing the website. To start the quiz, your students have to perform the following steps:
- Go to the SpellQuizz website
- Log into your account (Optional but great for tracking progress)
- Access the ‘Spelling Quizzes’ section
- Choose a suitable knowledge level
- Click on the designated exercise/lesson/bee
- Press the ‘Play’ button
After the students complete certain activities, they can see statistics of their current progress. Their pace can be analyzed using multiple criteria, such as
- Exercises attempted
- Exercises completed
- Total mastered words
- Smart score
- And more.
You as a teacher can use these statistics to adapt your teaching style to their needs. If your students have trouble keeping up the pace, you should slow down the rhythm of your classes and reiterate some important aspects. This way they will get a better understanding of the unclear notions.
Spelling Test Generator
This powerful tool is powered by Education.com. It is very easy to use and does not require any additional software.
Generate A Spelling Test
All you have to do to create a personalized spelling test for your students is to perform the following steps:
- Go to the Spelling Test Generator
- Fill in the details of your test
- Title
- Words
- Theme
- Click ‘Create’
- Export the worksheet
Fill in the information you want and then click the ‘Create’ button and the website will automatically generate your worksheet. After reviewing it, you can export it and send it to your students. Make sure to keep the attached answer key to yourself!
There are also other valuable resources on this website. You can successfully integrate the available resources into your online classes or future spelling tests.
Learning Management System (LMS)
If you are hosting your course on a standalone learning management system, it is a great idea to use their integrated quiz functions. Let’s find out how to give a spelling test using the three most popular LMS.
Moodle
Moodle is one of the most well-known learning management systems. Its features are very powerful and provide a lot of different functions that can be used for various tasks.
To create a Moodle spelling quiz, perform the following steps:
- Access your course
- Create a new quiz
- Adjust settings
- Add questions
Step 1 – Access Your Course
Access your course and switch to editing mode so you can add a new quiz.
Step 2 – Create A New Quiz
To create a new quiz, follow the next steps:
- Click the ‘Add an activity or resource’ button
- Select the ‘Quiz’ feature
- Press the ‘Add’ button
Step 3 – Adjust Settings
There are several settings you should adjust to enhance your students’ experience during the spelling test. The most important settings to take into consideration are:
- Time limit
- Minimum grade
- Layout
- Shuffled questions
Every setting has its own purpose. Most of them can be used to prevent students’ from cheating. You should adapt your test’s settings to your students’ needs. For example, if you are teaching younger students they might need more time to answer a question than middle-school students.
Step 4 – Add Questions
When it comes to adding questions Moodle is very permissive. There are plenty of question types that you can use for your spelling test. The most popular formats are:
- True/False
- Multiple choice
- Essay
- Matching
- Drag-and-drop onto image
To ensure an amazing test experience be creative with how your integrate your question types into your spelling test..
You can find a lot of useful articles related to the Moodle LMS online. Here are some that will help you learn more about it:
ARTICLE: How to Create a Moodle Quiz: Step-by-Step Guide
ARTICLE: Create and Manage a Quiz in Moodle
Blackboard
Blackboard is a great LMS that can be successfully used for teaching spelling online. Its advanced quiz interface is easy to use and provides powerful features.
To create a spelling test on Blackboard, perform the following steps:
- Go to the ‘Course Tools’ section
- Select the ‘Tests or Surveys’ feature
- Click on the ‘Build test’ button
- Fill in the test information
- Add questions
Step 1 – Go To The ‘Course Tools’ Section
To reach the ‘Course Tools’ section, complete the following sequence of steps:
- Go to Blackboard platform and log in
- Access your course
- Go to the ‘Control panel’
- Select the ‘Course Tools’ section
Step 2 – Select the ‘Tests or Surveys’ Feature
Clicking this feature will lead you to the management interface of all your tests and surveys. There you can administer your course’s previous quizzes and create new ones.
Step 3 – Click On The ‘Build Test’ Button
After clicking on the ‘Build Test’ button, a new dialog box will pop up. There you will be asked to fill in different basic information about the test you are creating.
Step 4 – Fill In The Test Information
The dialog box will demand several fields to be completed. These fields include the title, description, and general guidelines for the students.
Step 5 – Add Questions
To add questions to your spelling test, you have to
- Click on the ‘Test Canvas’ and select a question type
- On the ‘Create’ section provide demanded information about the question
- Press the ‘Submit’ button
- Repeat the process for every question
If you want to learn more about LMS Blackboard, I recommend the following articles:
ARTICLE: Create Tests and Surveys
ARTICLE: Blackboard vs. Moodle: How To Choose What Works For You?
Canvas
https://www.instructure.com/canvas/
Canvas is another popular learning management system and it features some interesting features. It can be successfully used for teaching spelling and guided reading online.
To create a quiz using theCanvas LMS, follow the next steps:
- Set up the quiz
- State quiz’s restrictions
- Add questions
- Assign to students and set time limits
Step 1 – Set Up The Quiz
Before adding content to your quiz you have to navigate to the Quiz Index page and create a new blank quiz. Make sure to browse the available quiz options. These features allow you to customize your quiz’s preferences and enhance the overall experience of your students.
Step 2 – State Quizzes Restrictions
There are several restrictions that can be applied to your spelling test. For example, you can ask your students to enter a password in order to access the quiz.
Another restriction can refer to the IP address that your students use to access the test. This can restrict your students so they can only enter from a certain country or from your school network.
Step 3 – Add Questions
To add content into your spelling test, perform the following steps:
- Navigate to the ‘Questions’ section
- Choose question format
- Fill in the required information
- Provide answer key and number of points
To add more questions all you have to do is to repeat the above-mentioned steps. After adding all the desired questions, make sure to click the ‘Publish’ button so that your spelling test goes live.
Step 4 – Assign To Students And Set Time Limits
The students cannot take the quiz unless you assign them to it. You can assign the quiz to a specific class, group, or to individual students.
Make sure to set reasonable time limits according to your students’ spelling level. If you are working with younger children, you might want to give them more time to answer questions.
If you want to learn more about LMS Canvas, here are some interesting articles:
ARTICLE: How do I create a quiz with individual questions?
ARTICLE: Six Steps to Building a Quiz in Canvas
ARTICLE: Canvas Vs Moodle: Which is better for online teachers?
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