Assessment Of Learning Essay

sound judgement of learn refers to strategies knowing to confirm what savants know, shew whether or non they return met political program outcomes or the goals of their somebodyized programs, or to certify proficiency and see decisions round bookmans future programs or berths. It is innovationed to countenance attest of achievement to pargonnts, a nonher(prenominal) educators, the scholars themselves, and more or lesstimes to outside groups (e. g. , employers, other educational institutions). judging of discipline is the judicial decision that becomes overt and results in statements or symbols rough how well scholarly persons be learn.It often gifts to pivotal decisions that will make a motion assimilators futures. It is important, then, that the underlying logic and mea receivedment of legal opinion of tuition be li suitable and invulnerable. TEACHERS ROLES IN ASSESSMENT OF t apieceing Beca theatrical role the consequences of opinion of reading are often far-r from each oneing and affect scholarly persons seriously, instructors have the responsibility of reporting student attainment straightly and fairly, ground on point obtained from a manakin of contexts and applications.Effective appraisal of study requires that teachers generate a rationale for undertaking a crabbed sagacity of cultivation at a particularpoint in time plunder descriptions of the intended goment plowes that make it possible for students to establish their competency and attainment a range of alternative mechanisms for assessing the aforesaid(prenominal) outcomes public and defensible reference points for making judgements Rethinking schoolroom estimate with train in top dog 55.The purpose of assessment that typic all in ally comes at the end of a course or unit of instruction is to fasten the extent to which the instructional goals have been achieved and for grading or certification of student achievement. (Linn and Gronl und, Measurement and appraisal in Teaching ) ReflectionThink about an example of assessment of scholarship in your bear teaching and try to develop it but as you read this chapter. 56 Rethinking classroom Assessment with Purpose in head teacher Chapter 5 transparent approaches to interpretation descriptions of the assessment process strategies for haunt in the event of disagreement about the decisions.With the help of their teachers, students nominate think forward to assessment of eruditeness tasks as occasions to show their competence, as well as the depth and breadth of their cultivation. PLANNING ASSESSMENT OF learn The purpose of assessment of learning is to measure, certify, and report the levelof students learning, so that fairish decisions green goddess be made about students.thither are umpteen potential users of the discipline teachers (who end use the predicateation to communicate with parents about their childrens proficiency and progress) parents an d students (who can use the results for making educational and vocational decisions) potential employers and post-secondary institutions (who can use the information to make decisions about hiring or acceptance) principals, district or divisional administrators, and teachers (who can use the information to go over and revise programming).Assessment of learning requires the collection and interpretation of information about students accomplishments in important curricular areas, in dashs that represent the temperament and complexity of the intended learning. Because genuine learning for understanding is much more(prenominal) than just recognition or recall of facts or algorithms, assessment of learning tasks take aim to enable students to show the complexity of their understanding. Students need to be able to apply key thoughts, knowledge, acquisitions, and attitudes in ways that are authentic and concordant with current thinking in the knowledge domain.What am Iassessing? why am I assessing? Rethinking classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind 57 Assessment of skill In assessment of learning, the orders chosen need to address the intended curriculum outcomes and the continuum of learning that is required to reach the outcomes. The methods must(prenominal) allow all students to show their understanding and produce sufficient information to support credible and defensible statements about the spirit and caliber of their learning, so that others can use the results in bewitch ways.Assessment of learning methods embroil not only tests and examinations, but in any case a rich variety of point of intersections and demonstrations of learningportfolios, exhibitions, performances, presentations, simulations, multimedia projects, and a variety of other written, oral, and visual methods (see Fig. 2. 2, Assessment Tool Kit, page 17). What assessment method should I use? starting time Portfolios Graduation portfolios are a requirement for step from Bri tish capital of South Carolina and Yukon Senior Years schools.These portfolios comprise collections (electronic or printed) of evidence of students accomplishments at school, home, and in the community, including demonstrations oftheir competence in skills that are not measured in examinations. cost four credits toward graduation, the portfolios begin in Grade 10 and are completed by the end of Grade 12. The following are some goals of graduation portfolios Students will adopt an active and reflective role in platformning, managing, and assessing their learning. Students will found learning that complements intellectual development and course-based learning. Students will plan for successful transitions beyond Grade 12. Graduation portfolios are prepared at the school level and are based on specific Ministry criteria and standards.Students use the criteria and standards as guides for planning, collecting, and presenting their evidence, and for self-assessing. Teachers use the c riteria and standards to assess student evidence and assign hybridisations. on that point are three major components of a graduation portfolio 1. Portfolio Core (30 portion of the mark). Students must complete requirements in the following six portfolio organizers arts and design (respond to an art, performance, or design work) community involvement and responsibility (participate co-operatively and esteemfully in aservice activity) education and career planning (complete a graduation transition plan)Employability skills (complete 30 hours of work or volunteer experience) information technology (use information technology skills) personal health (complete 80 hours of moderate to main(prenominal) physical activity). 2. Portfolio Choice (50 percent of the mark). Students expand on the above areas, choosing supernumerary evidence of their achievements. 3. Portfolio Presentation (20 percent of the mark). Students celebrate their learning and reflect at the end of the portfolio pr ocess.( Portfolio Assessment and Focus Areas A Program Guide) 58 Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind Chapter 5 Assessment of learning needs to be very carefully constructed so that the information upon which decisions are made is of the highest quality. Assessment of learning is designed to be summative, and to produce defensible and faithful descriptions of student competence in relation to defined outcomes and, occasionally, in relation to other students assessment results. Certification of students proficiency should be based on a rigorous, reliable, valid, and equitable process of assessment and evaluation. dependabilityReliability in assessment of learning depends on how accurate, consistent, fair, and free from bias and whirl the assessment is. Teachers might ask themselves Do I have copious information about the learning of this particular student to make a definitive statement? Was the information collected in a way that haves all students an equal ch ance to show their learning? Would another teacher arrive at the said(prenominal) conclusion? Would I make the same decision if I considered this information at another time or in another way? Reference Points Typically, the reference points for assessment of learning are the learningoutcomes as identified in the curriculum that make up the course of study. Assessment tasks include measures of these learning outcomes, and a students performance is interpreted and reported in relation to these learning outcomes.In some attitudes where selection decisions need to be made for limit positions (e. g. , university entrance, scholarships, employment opportunities), assessment of learning results are use to rank students. In such norm-referenced situations, what is creation measured needs to be clear, and the way it is being measured needs to be transparent to anyone who might use the assessmentresults.Validity Because assessment of learning results in statements about students profici ency in wide areas of study, assessment of learning tasks must reflect the key knowledge, concepts, skills, and dispositions watch out in the curriculum, and the statements and inferences that emerge must be upheld by the evidence collected. How can I chalk up quality in this assessment process? Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind 59 Assessment of Learning Record-Keeping Whichever approaches teachers choose for assessment of learning, it is their records that post details about the quality of the measurement.Detailed records of the various components of the assessment of learning are essential, with a description of what each component measures, with what verity and against what criteria and reference points, and should include supporting evidence re of lated to the outcomes as justification. When teachers keep records that are detailed and descriptive, they are in an excellent position to provide meaningful reports to parents and others. Merely a exemplary r epresentation of a students accomplishments (e. g. , a letter bulls eye or percentage) is inadequate.Reports to parents and others should identify theintended learning that the report covers, the assessment methods used to gather the supporting information, and the criteria used to make the judgement. Feedback to Students Because assessment of learning comes roughly often at the end of a unit or learning cycle, feedback to students has a less obvious effect on student learning than assessment for learning and assessment as learning.Nevertheless, students do Ho w can I use the information from this assessment? Guidelines for Grading 1. delectation curriculum learning outcomes or some clustering of these (e. g. , strands) as the knowledge base for grading. 2.Make sure that the meaning of grades comes from clear descriptions of curriculum outcomes and standards. If students achieve the outcome, they enamour the grade. (NO bell curves )3. Base grades only on individual achievement of the targeted learning outcomes. Report effort, participation, and attitude, for example, separately, unless they are a stated curriculum outcome. Any penalties (e. g. , for late work, absences), if used, should not distort achievement or motivation. 4. Sample student performance apply a variety of methods. Do not include all assessments in grades. exit on waiver feedback on formativeperformance using words, rubrics, or checklists, not grades. 5. Keep records in pencil so they can be updated easily to take into consideration more recent achievement. Provide second-chance assessment opportunities (or more).Students should receive the highest, most consistent mark, not an average mark for multiple opportunities. 6. Crunch numbers carefully, if at all. Consider using the median, mode, or statistical measures other than the mean. Weight components within the final grade to ensure that the intended importance is given to each learning outcome.7. Make sure that each assessment meets quality standards (e.g. , there should be clear targets, clear purpose, appropriate target-method match, appropriate sampling, and absence of bias and distortion) and is properly put down and maintained (e. g. , in portfolios, at conferences, on tracking sheets). 8. Discuss and involve students in grading at the beginning and without the teaching and learning process. (Adapted from OConnor, How to Grade for Learning )Resource Marzano, Transforming Classroom Grading 60 Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind Chapter 5 rely on their marks and on teachers comments as indicators of their level ofsuccess, and to make decisions about their future learning endeavours. Differentiating Learning In assessment of learning, differentiation occurs in the assessment itself. It would make little sense to ask a near-sighted person to demonstrate driving proficiency without glasses.When the moilr uses glasses, it is possible for the examiner to get an accurate picture of the drive rs ability, and to certify him or her as proficient. In much the same way, differentiation in assessment of learning requires that the needed accommodations be in place that allow students to make the particular learning visible.Multiple forms of assessment offer multiple pathways for making student learning transparent to the teacher. A particular curriculum outcome requirement, such as an understanding of the social studies notion of conflict, for example, might be demonstrated through visual, oral, dramatic, or written representations. As long as writing were not an explicit component of the outcome, students who have difficulties with written language, for example, would then have the same opportunity to demonstrate their learning as other students.Although assessment of learning does not always lead teachers to differentiateinstruction or resources, it has a profound effect on the placement and promotion of students and, consequently, on the nature and differentiation of the future instruction and programming that students receive. Therefore, assessment results need to be accurate and detailed enough to allow for wise recommendations. Reporting There are many possible approaches to reporting student proficiency. Reporting assessment of learning needs to be appropriate for the audiences for whom it is intended, and should provide all of the information necessary for them to make reasoned decisions.Regardless of the form of the reporting,however, it should be honest, fair, and provide sufficient detail and contextual information so that it can be cl premature understood. Traditional reporting, which relies only on a students average score, provides little information about that students skill development or knowledge. One alternate mechanism, which recognizes many forms of success and provides a profile of a students level of performance on an emergent-proficient continuum, is the parent- student-teacher conference. This forum provides parents with a grea t deal of information, and reinforces students responsibility for their learning.The Communication clay Continuum From Symbols to Conversations (OConnor, How to Grade for Learning ) Grades Report cards (grades and brief comments) Infrequent idle intercourses Parent-teacher interviews Report cards with expanded comments Frequent informal communication Student-involved conferencing Student-led conferencing Reflection What forms do your reports of student proficiency take? How do these differ according to audience? Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind 61 Assessment of Learning An Example of Assessment of Learning.Elijah was interested in assessing student mastery of both the modern and the traditional skills required for excerption in the Nunavut environment where he teaches. The overarching theme of excerpt is taught in the early grades and culminates at the senior level in a course delivered in Inuktitut. Students learn how to take care of themselves and others, and how to adapt what they know to the situation at hand. selection requires not only skills and knowledge, but also a concept the Inuit people call qumiutit, or the ability in an emergency situation to pull out of stored memory information that will enable a person to cope, not panic.Traditionally, this was learned in a holistic manner, grounded in Inuit traditional guiding principles that were nurtured and developed from birth, and taught and reinforced in daily living. throughout the term, Elijah took his students to an outdoor area to practise on-the-land survival activities, using both traditional and modern methods. He always took with him a knowledgeable Elder who could give the students the information they needed to store away in case of emergency. The students watched demonstrations of a skill a number of times. Each student then practise on his or her own, as Elijah and the Elder observed and assisted.Elijah knew that students need to have a high level of expertise in the survival skills appropriate for the northern natural environment. Elijah assessed each student on each survival skill (e. g. , making fire the traditional way, tying the greybacks required for the qamutik cross-pieces on a sleigh). What am I assessing? I am assessing each students performance of traditional and modern survival skills. Why am I assessing? I want to know which survival skills each s tudent has get the hang and their readiness to s urvive in the natural environment. 62 Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind.Chapter 5 Elijah knew that the best way to determine if students have know the skills is to have them perform them. When students believed they were ready, Elijah created an opportunity for them to demonstrate the mastered skill to a group of Elders, who then (individually, then in consensus) determined if the performance was satisfactory. A students competence in a survival skill is often demonstrated by an end product. For example, competen ce in knot tying is demonstrated by a knot that serves its purpose, and competence in fire building is demonstrated by a fire that is robust.As the Elders judged each students performance of the skills, Elijah recorded the results. He shared the information with each student and his or her parents in a final report, as shown here. Ho w can I use the informatio n from this assessment? Now that I know which skills each of the students has mastered, I can report this information to the s tudents and their parents. I can use this information to identify a learning path for each s tudent. How can I ensure quality in this assessment process? Ensuring quality with this approach involves clear criteria either the student performs the skill s uccessfully or does not.I need to provide adequate opportunities for the s tudent to demonstrate the skills under various conditions and at various times. What assessment method should I use? I need an approach in which students can demonstrate the trad itional survival skills that they learned. The method I choose should also allow me to identify which skills they did not master. Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind 63 Assessment of Learning Shelters emergency shelters igloo building4 qamaq5 tents back breaker needs making the knots required for the qamutik cross pieces on a sled building a kayak/umiak. fixing a snowmobile (spark plugs, repairing track, drive belt) keeping a boat seaworthy Navigational issues reading the land reading the sky understanding seasonal variations reading inuksuit using GPS stand for reading Preparation for land travel packing a qamutiq (sled) load, respite necessities snow knife, rope, food, water, heat source letting others know where you are going necessary tools, supplies, snowmobile parts, fuel using communication devices Food sources plants and their nutritionary properties hunting, skinning, and cutting up seal, caribou, etc. kinds of food to take on the land,and their nutritionary properties ____________________4. Expertise in igloo building includes understanding of types of snow, the shape and fit of blocks, and the use of a snow- knife. 5. A qamaq is a rounded house, built of act wood or bones, and covered with skins, cardboard, or canvas. Report on Survival Skills Student _______________________________________________ Date _______________________ Traditional Survival Skills Modern Survival Skills Adaptability to the Seasons locating Success Next Steps 1) Skills Building a fire / office of keeping warm fuel sources getting a spark propane heaters, stoves clothing.2) affinity to the Seasons Assessing conditions / recognizing danger signs seasonal changes land changes water changes wind changes weather changes climatic changes weather changes and how this affects the land and water knowledge of animals and their characteristics and behaviours 3) Attitudinal Influences (Having the right attitude to learn) respect for the environment (cleaning up a campsite upon leaving, dealing with the remains of an animal, not over-hunting/fishing) respect for Elders and their knowledge ability to learn from Elders 64 Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind Chapter 5.Elijahs report identified which of the students had mastered the specified skills required to survive in the Nunavut environment. It outlined other areas (such as adaptability to the seasons and attitudinal influences) about which peers, parents, and family members would need to provide input before a encyclopedic assessment could be made. The assessment also identified those students not besides ready to survive in the natural environment. But the Elders did not gag rule working with the students who did not reach mastery. Elders see learning as an individual path in which skills, knowledge, and attitudes are acquired along the way.If a particular skill was beyond the capability of a student, the Elders identified other ar eas where that person could contribute to the common good of the community, and was accepted for the gifts he or she brought to the group. In this way, the Elders helped Elijah differentiate the learning path for each of his students. SUMMARY OF PLANNING ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING Assessment for Learning Assessment as Learning Assessment of Learning Why Assess?To enable teachers to determine contiguous steps in advancing student learning to guide and provide opportunities for each student to monitor and critically reflect on his or her learning, andidentify next steps Assess What? each students progress and learning needs in relation to the curricular outcomes each students thinking about his or her learning, what strategies he or she uses to support or challenge that learning, and the mechanisms he or she uses to adjust and advance his or her learning.What Methods? a range of methods in different modes that make students skills and understanding visible a range of methods in different modes that elicit students learning and metacognitive processes Ensuring Quality accuracy and consistency of observations and interpretations of student learning clear, detailed learning expectations accurate, detailed notes for descriptive feedback to each student accuracy and consistency of students self-reflection, self-monitoring, and self-adjustment. assignment of the student in considering and challenging his or her thinking students record their own learning Using the Information provide each student with accurate descriptive feedback to further his or her learning differentiate instruction by continually checking where each student is in relation to the curricular outcomes provide parents or guardians with descriptive feedback about studentlearning and ideas for support. provide each student with accurate descriptive feedback that will help him or her develop independent learning habits have each student focus on the task and his or her learning (not on getting the right answer) provide each student with ideas for adjusting, rethinking, and articulating his or her learning provide the conditions for the teacher and student to discuss alternatives students report about their learning Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind. 65 Assessment of Learning to certify or inform parents or others of students proficiency inrelation to curriculum learning outcomes the extent to which students can apply the key concepts, knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to the curricular outcomes a range of methods in different modes that assess both product and process accuracy, consistency, and fairness of judgements based on high-quality information clear, detailed learning expectations fair and accurate summative reporting indicate each students level of learning provide the foundation for discussions on placement or promotion report fair, accurate, and detailed information that can be used to decide the next steps in a students learning.