Entry 6: Assessment
Accurate assessment of students is important because this is how student growth and development are monitored over time. Utilizing the same version of assessment continuously is not fair to students of different interests and learning styles. Because of this, the educator should use a variety of assessment types to keep an accurate and fair measurement of student learning. The first stigma of assessment is that it’s only used after teaching a concept as a measurement of learning. This is true; however, assessment should also be used for and as learning.
Assessment for learning aids the teacher in determining where to take the students next because it tells where students are in comparison to where we want them to be. In the classroom, assessment for learning may look like a few different strategies. Strategic questioning of students is one method as it allows the teacher to ask focused questions, gage where students are based on their responses, and provide quality feedback. Another strategy of assessment for learning is a the “K” and “W” sections of a “Know, Want to Know, Learned” chart. Students use self-assessment in this chart as they brain dump any and all information they have on the subject and take learning into their own hands while showing teacher where they are to start.
Assessment as learning allows students to reflect on their own experiences in class and determine the next steps and questions. This type of assessment is important because it teaches students to teach themselves, a valuable life skill beyond school. In the classroom, assessment as learning looks like student’s self and peer assessing. Providing a model for students to compare their work to allows them to see where they are and what needs to be done on their own. Comparing their work to their peers also provides a norm-referenced type of assessment, as well an opportunity to assist others in the process. An example of this could be an individual or group exit slip.
Assessment of learning is the most commonly seen as it certifies student proficiency in the curriculum. This type of assessment can be done through diagnostic testing by comparing where students currently to where they began. Criterion-referenced methods may also be used as assessment of learning as it measures student performance to a specific benchmark. A common way of evaluating assessment of learning in music is through maintaining student portfolios containing performances and classwork throughout the course. This is typically measured by an assessment tool such as a rubric or written test.
Assessment for learning aids the teacher in determining where to take the students next because it tells where students are in comparison to where we want them to be. In the classroom, assessment for learning may look like a few different strategies. Strategic questioning of students is one method as it allows the teacher to ask focused questions, gage where students are based on their responses, and provide quality feedback. Another strategy of assessment for learning is a the “K” and “W” sections of a “Know, Want to Know, Learned” chart. Students use self-assessment in this chart as they brain dump any and all information they have on the subject and take learning into their own hands while showing teacher where they are to start.
Assessment as learning allows students to reflect on their own experiences in class and determine the next steps and questions. This type of assessment is important because it teaches students to teach themselves, a valuable life skill beyond school. In the classroom, assessment as learning looks like student’s self and peer assessing. Providing a model for students to compare their work to allows them to see where they are and what needs to be done on their own. Comparing their work to their peers also provides a norm-referenced type of assessment, as well an opportunity to assist others in the process. An example of this could be an individual or group exit slip.
Assessment of learning is the most commonly seen as it certifies student proficiency in the curriculum. This type of assessment can be done through diagnostic testing by comparing where students currently to where they began. Criterion-referenced methods may also be used as assessment of learning as it measures student performance to a specific benchmark. A common way of evaluating assessment of learning in music is through maintaining student portfolios containing performances and classwork throughout the course. This is typically measured by an assessment tool such as a rubric or written test.