assessment design-frequently asked questions

Developing Student Assessments:

Some common Questions

What is classroom

assessment?

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IntroductionFirst and foremost, classroom

assessment is a continuous process.ObservingAskingNoticingGiving a quiz, test, homework, etc.AssigningReviewing

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What are the reasons for assessing

students?

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Reasons for Assessment

Provide feedback to students;Make informed decisions about

studentsMonitor, make judgments about,

and document students’ academic performance

Aid student motivation by establishing short-term goals and feedback

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Reasons for Assessment Continued

Increase retention and transfer of learning by focusing learning;

Evaluate instructional effectiveness; and

Establish and maintain a supportive classroom learning atmosphere.

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What are the purposes of classroom assessment?

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Purposes of Classroom AssessmentPlacementDiagnosisFormative Evaluation (ongoing,

monitoring progress)Summative Evaluation (final,

judgments, certify completion)

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What types of assessment tools are

available?

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Types of Assessments Anecdotal Checklists Portfolios Multiple-Choice

Short-Answer Matching True and False Essay

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Effective teachers make assessments in all three domains of learning.

Assessment planning should be part of all instructional planning.

What is assessment planning?

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Assessment Planning

Not a process added on at the conclusion of instruction

Planning will ensure that instructional outcomes are clear to both you and your students

Instruction and assessment are congruent

Assessment measures intended outcomes

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What types of questions are answered by assessment?

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Questions Have students learned the intended

concepts well? If not, where does the problem lie?

Which of the methods you have selected seems to generate the most motivation and interest among students?

What are an individual students’ strengths and weaknesses in a specific area?

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When should assessments be

given?

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Timing of Assessments

Newly introduced material should be tested relatively soon

Frequent assessments encourage continuous study and reduces test anxiety

Assessment concepts should be cumulative

Assessment helps in aiding retention

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What are rating scales & checklists and what are the

purposes?

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Rating Scales & ChecklistsA rating scale provides a list of

characteristics to be observed and a scale showing the degree.

A checklist is useful when a process can be divided into steps and each one checked for its presence.

These forms of assessment identify specific tasks that point out strong and weak areas.

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What are anecdotal records and portfolio

assessments?

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Anecdotal & Portfolios Anecdotal records are recorded

observations of student behavior. Do not try to write everything down Be consistent (watching and recording) Record positive behavior, not just negative Don’t draw inferences from one observation

Portfolios are a collection of student work Intended to demonstrate student effort and

progress toward achieving objectives

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What type of guidelines should be

established for assessment

construction?

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Guidelines for Test Construction Determine how much importance and

instructional time you will give up; Decide on the format and item type(s); Balance questions and time;

The average high school student can complete two T&F items, one MC item, or one short-answer item per minute

Plan an activity for students who finish early; and

Develop the test items.

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