The Asset of Assessment

Assessment: something that can either be an asset to teachers and learners or something they detest. When many people hear the word assessment, they automatically think of tests. But, assessment is so much more than that and can come in many forms that cater to a variety of learning styles. It can be used in many different ways, and for many different purposes. 

When choosing the type of assessment to use, it is helpful to keep the learning audience in mind. Some things to consider are the ages, maturity level, learning styles, class size, and prior knowledge of material of the learners. Another thing to keep in mind is the purpose of the assessment, and what it's results will indicate or be used for. Access to technology can also be a contributing factor, as there are many new and exciting types of assessment that incorporate videos, smart phones, iPads, and computers. 

Many teachers will choose to design their own assessment, which comes with an additional set of challenges. Besides just choosing the type of assessment to create, they also need to think about how it will relate to the goals and objectives of the content being assessed. The best types of assessments are authentic in the fact that students are able to acquire and use content on the same level of Bloom's taxonomy that they will be assessed on it. A common mistake is to teach material at a lower level of Bloom's and then assess students on a higher level, which leads to frustration on the part of both the teacher and the learner. 

The videos below give some great insight into how to effectively use, choose, and design assessment.

Overview of Assessment

Introduction to Assessment

A key to keeping assessment as an asset is to use variability, and to use it often. Through incorporating various types of assessment on a frequent basis, learners are able to show what they know in many different ways. This also keeps assessment stress down, and give the teachers more options and opportunities to check for student understanding. 

The term assessment does not have to bring a feeling a dread to teachers and learners. By keeping it constantly used, varied, and authentic, assessment can become a positive term. Let's make assessment a true asset to your classroom!