Affective Domain Assessment Tools

Study Notes

Select appropriate, high-quality affective assessment tools
Use learner-appropriate assessment methods and tools
Interpret assessment data to monitor and evaluate learner achievement, improving performance and informing instruction

Focuses on the development of the "heart" (emotions and attitudes) alongside the mind and body
Emphasizes emotional intelligence, social and emotional learning (SEL), and growth mindsets.

The affective domain includes a wide range of objectives: interests, attitudes, appreciations, values, and emotional sets.
The objectives are categorized in a hierarchical structure:
- Receiving: awareness, sensitivity, willingness to tolerate
- Responding: commitment (complying, agreeing, participating)
- Valuing: attaching importance to ideas/phenomena (supporting, defending)
- Organization: relating values consistently (theorizing, formulating)
- Characterization by value: acting consistently with values (revising, adhering)

Assessment methods—observation, student self-report, peer rating.
Observation: unstructured (open-ended) or structured (checklist, rating scales)
Self-reports: written reflections, essays, questionnaires, interviews.
Rating scales: Likert scales, semantic differentials.
Tools: checklists, ratings scales (Likert, semantic differential scales), sentence completion

Attitude: A mental predisposition to act in a particular way.
Interest: Personal preference for activities, motivational process.
Motivation: Environment, tasks, and activities that energize or direct a person's behavior.
Values: Principles, standards, or qualities considered desirable.
Self-concept: Mental image of oneself (actions, characteristics).
Locus of control: Perception of the underlying causes of events (internal or external).
Self-efficacy: Belief in one's ability to succeed in a situation.

Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, information, media, technology, flexibility, leadership, initiative, productivity, and social skills are vital.