from The TeachThought staff
What are the types of assessment for learning?
And more importantly, when should you use which? If the curriculum is what of teaching and learning models are howthe score is the puzzled “Hmmmm” – as I guessed this and this about student learning, but after giving that grade, well….“Hmmmmm”.
c The difference between assessment of learning and assessment for learning, we explained that “assessment for learning is commonly referred to as formative assessment – ie. assessment designed to inform learning.”
6 types of learning assessment
1. Diagnostic assessment (as a preliminary assessment)
Diagnostic assessments are used at the beginning of a course or module to determine students’ prior knowledge, skills and understanding of the subject. This type of assessment helps teachers identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to plan instruction that meets the specific needs of their students. Examples include pre-tests, surveys, or initial observations.
One way to think about it: Assesses a student’s strengths, weaknesses, knowledge and skills prior to instruction
Another way to think about it: A baseline to work from
Tip: It is done at the beginning – of the school year, at the beginning of a lesson, at the beginning of a lesson, etc.
See also What is project-based learning?
2. Formative assessment
Formative assessments are ongoing processes that teachers use to monitor student learning and provide feedback during instruction. These assessments help teachers adjust their teaching strategies to improve student understanding and performance. Examples include tests, class discussions, and homework assignments that keep teachers informed of student progress.
One way to think about it: Assesses a student’s performance during instruction and typically occurs regularly throughout the instructional process
Another way to think about it: As a “check” on a doctor to provide data for revision of instructions
Tip: Using digital exit ticket tools like Loop can be an easy means of checking that students have understood the lesson content while encouraging student reflection.
3. Summative assessment
So what are the different types of learning assessment? The next time someone says “assessment,” you can say “What type and what do we do with the data?” Summative assessment, for example.
Summative assessments assess student learning at the end of a learning period, such as the end of a learning module, course or academic year. These assessments are used to determine whether students have met learning objectives and to assign grades. Examples include final exams, end-of-semester projects, and standardized tests.
One way to think about it: Measures a student achievement at the end of the instruction. It’s like talking to someone about a movie after the movie is over. 🙂
Another way to think about it: It’s ominous, but if the formative assessment is the test, you might think of the summative assessment as an autopsy. what happened Now that it’s over, what went right and what went wrong?
Tip: Summative assessments can be useful for teachers to improve modules and lessons year after year by measuring student performance, as they are in some ways as much a reflection of the quality of the modules and lessons themselves as they are of the students.
4. Evaluation in relation to the norm
One way to think about it: Compares a student’s performance to other students (a national group or other “norm”)
Another way to think about it: Place, group or “demographic” rating. Many standardized tests are used as norm-oriented assessments.
Tip: These grades are useful over time in student profiles or for placement in national level programs, for example.
5. Criterion assessment
One way to think about it: it measures a student’s performance against a goal, a specific goal, or a standard
Another way to think about it: tape measure of all students
Tip: They can be a type of formative assessment and should be integrated into your curriculum to guide adaptation of your teaching over time. Mastery or competency-based learning would use criterion-referenced assessments.
6. Intermediate/Comparative Assessment
One way to think about it: Assesses student performance at periodic intervals, often at the end of the grading period. It can predict student performance on end-of-year summative assessments. Benchmarking is an intermediate assessment, so it may be helpful to think of them as different, even though they function in a similar way.
Another way to think about it: Growth on a bar chart or chart throughout the year, often against specific “benchmarks”
Tip: Benchmarks can be useful for communicating important facts and data to parents, district officials, and others. One goal is to inform the allocation of resources (time and money) to respond to this data.
6 types of learning assessment
