Stage 4 Critique

Assessment, both formative and summative, plays a significant part in the learning experience as it determines progression and enables learners to demonstrate that they have achieved their desired learning outcomes.

Assessment is a valuable tool to measure students learning and achievement. It is an essential element for teacher to reflect on what and how they teach. To assess students is to collect evidence of their learning. Teachers use the information to modify their lesson plans and adjust their instructional methods; students need feedback on their performance to concentrate on their vulnerable areas. Assessment is necessary for parents to reinforce their children strength and assist them where extra attention is required. The data collected will inform school

Educational assessment serves a valuable purpose in today’s education system. In the age of high-stakes testing, educational assessments serve to hold educators accountable for students’ progress. However, I believe that quality educational assessments serve a much greater purpose. High-quality educational assessments provide educators with the ability to make valid assumptions in regards to where a child stands in understanding a topic and what their misconceptions are in regards to the topic. This information is invaluable in determining the instructional steps the educator will take following the assessment. Educational assessments also play a role in validating what educators are teaching. What teachers choose to assess shows students what is important and valuable for them to know.

Assessing is a crucial component of education that informs teachers on individual development and understanding (Booker, Bond, Sparrow

Arguably you could suggest that the most important part of initial assessment is giving feed back to the learner of the results. This as we have said previously allows the learner to set themselves achievable goals. They have possibly already learnt things about themselves that they didn’t know. For example what their preferred style is. The advantage of this feedback session is that both learner and tutor have set clear manageable targets and goals. This is turn can be seen as a motivational tool for the learner as they have been part of the process and know what is expected from them. This also instils the motivation for the teacher to make sure that the learner can achieve their goals

Assessments should contribute to a student’s education and learning by including students in the learning process educators are able to assist and extend students learning (SCSA, 2014).

The observation conducted and post observation discussion with my experienced colleague helped me to identify key teaching and learning activities that I could implement in my lesson plan. Also the points of reflection that were mutually figured out served as a guide for me to prepare for Unit 2.

However, these comments are something which can only become reality if practitioners are enquiring into their practice. On reflection, it is my opinion that as assessment is such a widely-debated idea that it should be enquired in a teacher practice on a regular basis. I feel that by just concentrating on effective questioning it has implicated my practice and made me feel more confident and knowledgeable. However, there are many other factors a teacher uses daily which can change the form of a child’s learning. Therefore, I feel another important next step in my practice would be to follow other formative assessment tools as a line of enquiry. Specifically, into LI and SC and understanding the most effective way to use this in the classroom, such as discussion or visibility. I feel that this next step would be a natural movement in the action research cycle (see Appendix 9).

Assessment for learning helps to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas in which extra support may be needed. Learning assessments helps teachers create action plans and plan and prepare lessons and activities. It is important to involve the pupil with assessment for learning by asking for feedback, areas in which they may have found difficult and also praising their achievements. Giving feedback to a pupil that has met their targets is important as this helps to build confidence and self esteem. Discussing targets and learning objective with pupils prior to lesson and providing simple demonstration helps them understand gives them a clear understanding on the expectation of their work. Acknowledging the pupils achievements in the form of positive feedback and displaying their work gives a sense of achievement and acknowledgement of their efforts. Peer assessment can be useful as this helps

Throughout my practicum, I utilized many different types of assessment such as checklists, tests, rubrics, performances, writing, self assessment and peer assessment. Through these different assessments I was able to identify where students were at in their understanding and where my next steps would be. My goal for assessment was regarding giving specific feedback to students that is meaningful to their learning and development. I was able to do this not only for myself as a teacher but also for my students. When teaching Reader’s Theater students had to perform and also give feedback that was both positive and constructive. Through this experience, I learned how to give specific and meaningful feedback to students. Giving timely and specific

Everyday in classrooms teachers will never stop assessing their students. Observing anything as small as group discussions, retelling, reflective thinking, oral language, in class work, and communication skills. The question and content I have focused on is assessment in the classroom and why is it so important for students to be assessed?

An area on the lesson planner labelled, ‘Implementing the Lesson,’ (see Page 5 of Appendices One) illustrates the timings and activities of the session. Out of these the following three timings and activities that the learners completed, have been chosen. Firstly, I will examine the

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Assessments are integral parts of instruction, they determine whether classroom goals have been achieved, and help teachers know what areas they should focus on and maybe reteach. They are great tools for developing lesson plans and answer questions such as; “do my students possess full understanding of the material?” There are many ways of assessing students’ learning, one of which I have personal experience with are on-the-spot assessments.

Assessment enables educators to provide feedback to their learners, this in turn promotes self-evaluation by the learner, as they use the assessment feedback to scrutinise and make judgements about the quality of their work (Spiller, 2009:6 & 7).