Teaching Basics 101: Assessment and Evaluation

Summary

In this session, Shawn Horning, a seasoned educator with 20 years of experience, explores the critical role of assessment in education. He discusses formative assessments that support ongoing learning and summative assessments that evaluate final achievements. Emphasizing the importance of feedback, Horning advocates for timely, meaningful input to foster a love of learning. He also highlights the significance of student voice, choice, and self-reflection in assessments, encouraging educators to create opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding in diverse ways, thus enhancing the learning process for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 You, as the teacher, are the lead learner in the classroom, guiding students through the learning process and providing essential feedback.
• 😀 Formative assessments provide evidence for learning throughout the course, helping to identify areas for improvement and success.
• 😀 Summative assessments evaluate evidence of learning, measuring whether students have met course objectives and competencies.
• 😀 Assessment should be more about the process and the function it serves rather than the type of assessment itself.
• 😀 Feedback is a key part of assessment. It should be frequent, timely, and meaningful to foster a love of learning in students.
• 😀 Formative assessments can be diagnostic, helping identify and address specific learning difficulties students may face.
• 😀 In formative assessments, students should actively engage in self-reflection, taking ownership of their learning and recognizing areas for growth.
• 😀 The use of cooperative learning techniques, such as peer teaching or partner activities, enhances understanding and encourages active learning.
• 😀 Summative assessments should be multi-dimensional, allowing students to express their understanding in ways that align with their learning styles.
• 😀 Incorporating opportunities for feedback and revision during summative assessments can improve student success and deepen their understanding of the material.
• 😀 Student voice and choice in how they demonstrate their learning is essential. Allowing them flexibility in the assessment process honors their unique learning styles.

Q & A

What is the difference between formative and summative assessments?

Formative assessments are used during the learning process to provide feedback and guide improvement, while summative assessments evaluate the overall achievement and understanding at the end of a learning period. Formative assessments are more process-oriented, and summative assessments are product-oriented.

What is the importance of feedback in assessment?

Feedback is critical in the assessment process as it promotes the love of learning. Effective feedback should be frequent, timely, and meaningful, helping students identify areas for improvement and reinforcing successes along their learning journey.

What role do teachers play in the assessment process?

Teachers act as the 'lead learner' in the classroom, guiding and facilitating student learning. They help students by providing assessments that offer evidence of learning, and by offering feedback that supports the students' growth and development.

What is the purpose of diagnostic assessments?

Diagnostic assessments are a form of formative assessment aimed at identifying specific difficulties or challenges that students may be facing in their learning. This helps teachers address areas where students need additional support to overcome obstacles and succeed.

How can formative assessments be integrated into daily learning?

Formative assessments should be woven into the learning process through checkpoints like exit tickets, quick writes, and collaborative activities. These assessments allow teachers to monitor progress, provide feedback, and make real-time adjustments to teaching strategies.

What is the 'cook tasting the soup' analogy for assessment?

The 'cook tasting the soup' analogy illustrates how formative assessments allow teachers to gauge student progress and make adjustments during the learning process, while summative assessments are akin to the final customer tasting the soup, reflecting the outcome of the learning.

How can summative assessments support learning beyond the final test?

Summative assessments can be multi-dimensional, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding in various ways that align with their learning style. Additionally, incorporating opportunities for feedback and reassessment can provide students with further chances to improve their work before final evaluation.

What is the role of student self-reflection in formative assessments?

Self-reflection in formative assessments encourages students to actively engage with their learning process, helping them identify their own strengths and areas for improvement. This encourages them to take ownership of their learning and fosters deeper understanding.

How can teachers create a supportive learning environment through assessment?

By offering assessments that honor diverse learning styles, providing timely and meaningful feedback, and creating opportunities for self-evaluation and peer collaboration, teachers can cultivate a supportive learning environment where students feel empowered and encouraged to succeed.

Why is it important to allow students to have a choice in how they demonstrate learning?

Allowing students to choose how they demonstrate their learning honors their unique learning styles and makes the assessment process more meaningful to them. When students have a voice in their assessments, it can increase motivation and engagement with the material.