Losch: Module 6 // Unit 1 // Activity 1 Assessmentsby Laura Losch
1. Formative
1.1. A type of assessment done mid-stream to gather information to see how the learning must be adjusted for the student. A "check for understanding".
1.2. Example: Think-Pair-Share in class
1.3. Advantages: Lets the teacher know how to adjust the lesson. Lets the teacher know who is mastering the objective. Disadvantages: Takes time away from learning.
2. Summative
2.1. Assessing students' mastery and knowledge at the end of a period of time or unit of learning. A "final exam".
2.2. Example: Quarter Final Exam
2.3. Advantages: Assesses the students' knowledge, having mastered individual objectives along the way. Shows growth in an area or subject. Disadvantage: Students may not be able to recall what they learned 12-weeks prior. Without a proper review period, students will likely fail.
3. High Stakes
3.1. High Stakes assessment is any assessment done that produces information that is used to make important decisions about the student. Are they where they need to be?
3.2. Example: Criterion Referenced Competency Test
3.3. Advantages: Student data collected can be measured and compared from year to year. Disadvantages: Teachers are often held accountable for student results. Student fails = teacher fails.
4. Portfolio
4.1. A collection of student work or artifacts assessed as a whole in relation to a specific learning objective or outcome.
4.2. Example: Writing Journal containing original pieces of students work from several different genres of study.
4.3. Advantages: Shows the students' progress over time. Systematic review of writing skills throughout a given time period. Disadvantages: Long time to collect student work and artifacts.
5. Authentic
5.1. Authentic assessments are those that measure intellectual accomplishments that are worthwhile, significant, and meaningful.
5.2. Example: Persuasive Essay & Speech
5.3. Advantages: Assesses what students know through real-world tasks. An alternative to multiple choice tests. Disadvantages: Students may not connect with the authenticity of the assessment and fail it.
6. Diagnostic
6.1. Gathering and evaluating detailed data about a student using their level in a certain skill base.
6.2. Example: Diagnostic Reading Assessments
6.3. Advantages: Allows teacher to fully understand where the student is and on what level. Allows the teacher to meet the student where they are. Disadvantages: If not assessed completely or properly, the results could be skewed.
7. Performance-based
7.1. An assessment that allows students to demonstrate they have mastered a skill by performing or producing something.
7.2. Example: Writing and performing a poem
7.3. Advantages: Allows students who are not good at taking "standardized tests" to show they have mastered an objective. Disadvantage: Parents may assist the student too much and result shows what the parent knows and not what the student has mastered.
8. Self Assessment
8.1. Assessing oneself on criteria laid out from the teacher, i.e. rubric.
8.2. Example: Self rubric completion on a major project.
8.3. Advantages: Students can objectively look at their work to analyze their strengths and weaknesses. Disadvantage: Students can be overly critical of their own work.
9. Peer Assessment
9.1. Assessment of student work by other students.
9.2. Example: Peer feedback on an essay.
9.3. Advantages: Engaging students in peer assessment allows them to learn how to evaluate their own learning. Disadvantage: Students can be cruel and discount a peer's work for no reason or for personal reasons.
