As a student, I dreaded ScanTron tests. In high school, one of my classes was right across the hall from where the ScanTron grading machine was located, and I remember constantly hearing a noise, which can only be described as a machine gun-like, as the teachers shot the answer sheets through and the grader marked incorrect answers. I never thought much of it until I was a first-year teacher myself, and my school was fortunate enough to have a ScanTron machine. Each time I shot answer sheets through, I would cross my fingers, hoping for a “quiet” passage, cringing every time I heard that all too familiar rapid-fire of wrong answers being marked.
Scantron is a brand name that refers to a popular test sheet used in schools. In contrast, there are knock-off test sheets that are not the Scantron brand. As we talk about Scantrons in this article, we’ll also be clear about sources and whether they sell Scantrons or other brands. The transition from Scantron to Sciphyn is one that will occur over a period of time so, you may notice some of our marketing materials still showing the Scantron Robotics USA, Inc. We’re working as quickly as possible to update our materials to reduce confusion.
While I think ScanTrons are fairly common in high schools, they are much more rare at the lower levels. When I worked in an elementary school, we did not have a ScanTron machine which, while not the end of the world, would have made the grading process for end of unit exams, much, much easier. Many schools, in fact, are like this – there are teachers that, if they had this technology available to them (ScanTrons are fairly expensive and some schools can’t justify the cost), would most likely use it. This is what lead me to find these two great programs, both of which attempt to solve the “ScanTron-less School” issue.
Scantron Scanners
Created by a team of educators through a KickStarter fund, this website and iPhone/iPad app combination work similarly to a traditional ScanTron machine. Teachers load students into the program, either through their mobile device or computers, and then print out the program’s unique answer sheets. These answer sheets can be used in conjunction with any previsouly created test, quiz, or exam. Teachers then use their mobile devices to scan the answer sheets. Answers are uploaded directly to the program, allowing for teachers to see quiz item analysis, student progress, and download CSV files to upload to nearly any gradebook (their claim).
Pros:
Scranton Cams
- FREE to use
- up to 30 questions per quiz/test/exam
- iPhone/iPad app to scan answer sheets (from developer – Android app in development phase)
- item analysis and student progress can be accessed from phone or computer
- still in the beginning phases, so lots of new updates can, hopefully, be anticipated (confirmed by developer)
Cons:
- Answers need to be bubbled in extremely dark (think black pen or marker) to be scanned
- website is basic, although it gives all the needed information
- answer sheets need to be printed – making copies from a blank master sheet tends to not work well when it comes time to scan
QuickKey answer sheet with bubbles filled in with heavy, black pen in order to register on the scanner.
This program has been around longer than Quick Key, so while the two programs essentially do the same thing, their website is more streamlined and offers a few more options. With GradeCam, teachers load their students into the website and print off GradeCam’s custom answer sheets for students to fill out. Answer sheets are graded by placing them under a camera attached to the computer – according to their website, most webcams or document cameras will work. The camera scans the answers and the computer instantly grades the assignment. The one notable aspect of GradeCam is that it has three access levels for its users – a basic, free package (limited to 10 questions a quiz, cannot export grades to gradebook), a mid level package ($15/month, limited to 100 questions a quiz, link CCSS to assignments, export to gradebook), or a school package ($2.50/student/year, same as mid-level package, with some additional features).
Pros:
- item analysis and student progress can be accessed through the website (also charts this data in graphs for you)
- user-friendly website
- Custom student ID numbers
- Can easily scan answer sheets with eraser marks or where bubbles are lightly filled in with pencil
QuickCam answer sheets with bubbles that get progressively lighter – all were easily scanned into the system.
Cons:
- No mobile app, for either Android or iPhone/iPad
- free account limited to only 10 questions per assignment
- Additional (and beneficial) features, like exporting to a gradebook, are pay-only for $15/month
Do you use either of these program? Do you know of one I missed? Let me know in the comments section!