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Gradient by GradeCam
Making Assessments Easy
Scott G Hickson, CEO“Gradient is designed by teachers for teachers with a focus on making assessments easy. We listen to feedback and continuously improve our product to meet the ever-changing needs of educators,” says Scott G. Hickson, CEO of Grade Cam.
Teachers are facing burnout at alarming rates, exacerbated by an overload of technology products and the need to be tech-savvy. Closing the COVID-induced learning gap is adding even more pressure. Gradient’s user-friendly feedback system presents a viable solution to this challenge, as it can be used not only as a summative testing tool but also for gathering in-the-moment data allowing teachers to pivot quickly to meet student needs. This system is well suited to help shrink the learning gap, a significant challenge in the current educational landscape. The data collected by the system can be aggregated and used by teachers as well as school and district leaders.
Gradient offers various assessment delivery mechanisms which cater to different preferences. One option is the traditional paper-and-pencil method, which remains extremely popular in today’s classrooms. Another option is a digital student portal, allowing students to complete their assessments online utilizing integrated tools such as Desmos calculators and the Respondus Lock Down Browser, which teachers use to help prevent cheating.
While some companies offer an item creation option, Gradient has intentionally decided not to pursue this avenue. In today’s world, teachers are inundated with content, whether from their district-recommended curriculum or the Internet. By allowing teachers to simply create an answer key without having to enter each individual question, it provides an efficient and easy-to-use tool giving teachers immediate access to actionable data.
The cost of running Gradient is minimal and it can be integrated with other systems such as Clever or Class Link, creating a seamless way of managing school rosters. Student and teacher logins can also be managed using Clever, Class Link, or Google single sign-on with no setup required for an even smoother experience. The system is easy to manage and a new district subscription can be set up and ready to use by teachers in less than one week, making it a simple and efficient solution for K-12 schools and districts.
Along with the web-based application, Gradient has gained a reputation for its integrations with various Learning Management Systems (LMS). These integrations with popular LMSs such as Canvas and Schoology immensely benefited cli¬ents during the pandemic and continue to be very popular. They allow teachers to create assessments in Gradient without ever leaving their LMS, simplifying the number of logins to recall as well as allowing for grades to pass back into the LMS’s grade¬book. By providing these integrations, Gradient made it easier for teachers to use its products along with their LMS of choice, creating a more seamless experience for teachers and students.
Gradient is designed by teachers for teachers with a focus on making assessments easy. We listen to feedback and continuously improve our product to meet the ever-changing needs of educators
The team at Gradient takes great pride in collecting user feedback ensuring the product continues to evolve in a way that meets the needs of all educators. Their Product Partner Program, open to any clients, is just one example of how they engage with educators around data, assessment, and student success to develop solutions that benefit teachers and administrators across the U.S.
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Company
Gradient by GradeCam
Management
Scott G Hickson, CEO
Description
Gradient is an educational technology company that offers a user-friendly feedback system for grading assessments, allowing teachers to grade papers quickly and easily by scanning them with a mobile device or webcam. The system provides immediate feedback to teachers and students, and the data collected can be used to track student progress and inform instruction. The company was founded by educators and has a strong focus on serving the needs of teachers.
Gradient by GradeCam News
GradeCam Launches Revamped Assessment Solution: GradeCam Reintroduces Gradient with a New Focus on Schools and Districts
LIVERMORE, Calif., Aug. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- GradeCam, a trailblazer in the EdTech industry for over 20 years, is thrilled to announce the official rebranding and relaunch of Gradient, its K-12 assessment solution. Gradient's sleek, new look is designed to reflect its rich feature set and ease of use, which meet the evolving assessment, data, and reporting needs of schools and districts nationwide. With its commitment to simplicity and functionality, Gradient supports teachers' daily needs and administrators' strategic goals.
Administrators are turning to Gradient for its robust platform at a fraction of the cost of other assessment solutions. Schools and districts can access a comprehensive suite of features without being burdened by unnecessary and expensive extras. This approach not only makes Gradient an affordable choice but also guarantees that every aspect of the platform is utilized effectively to improve the assessment process, both in the classroom and at the school-wide level.
Administrators benefit from Gradient's comprehensive features, including a centralized hub for school-wide data and the option to add pre-built standardized exams like the ACT or mock Regents. This allows efficient tracking of standards-based learning and managing data reporting to enhance decision-making processes. Moreover, Gradient integrates seamlessly with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and gradebooks, such as Canvas, Schoology, Google Classroom, Jupiter Ed, and JumpRope.
As schools increasingly transition to digital solutions, many continue to also rely on traditional paper assessments. By integrating both paper and online assessments, Gradient provides a versatile solution that supports the diverse needs of today's educational environment. Best described as "Assessment Made Easy," this update underscores the company's dedication to simplifying and streamlining how schools and districts handle both paper and online assessment administration and reporting.
"GradeCam has long been a trusted name in the classroom, empowering educators to create, score, and record formative and summative assessments with remarkable efficiency," said Scott Hickson, CEO of GradeCam. He continued, "With the expiration of ESSER funds in the upcoming school year, schools will be reevaluating their tech needs. Gradient is well-positioned to offer the most cost-effective, easy-to-use paper and online solution that targets school-wide assessment practices."
Customers agree that Gradient is the assessment solution of choice. "As director of educational technology for the Capistrano Unified School District in southern California, it was my department's responsibility to find a program to replace our current system. We had been with that system for over ten years. We needed to switch to a program that provided similar tools without the high price tag," commented Stephanie Avera, Chief Technology Officer of Capistrano Unified. "Gradient had everything we needed in a program to replace our current system, so it was an easy decision to move forward with Gradient."