Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the process of an Educational Assessment?
What is the process of an Educational Assessment?
Educational assessment is the process of systematically gathering evidence that documents student knowledge, skills, and behaviors and using this evidence to determine if a student's performance matches expectations and standards.
When are assessments normally given and why?
When are assessments normally given and why?
Assessments are commonly given before instruction to establish a baseline and then again following instruction; the difference in scores is attributed to learning.
What is the primary thing to consider when picking an assessment?
What is the primary thing to consider when picking an assessment?
Teachers need to consider the benefits and disadvantages of each type when deciding which one to use for a particular situation.
What are the two types of assessments?
What are the two types of assessments?
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What is a formal assessment?
What is a formal assessment?
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What are advantages of formal assessments?
What are advantages of formal assessments?
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What are limitations of formal assessments?
What are limitations of formal assessments?
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What are informal assessments?
What are informal assessments?
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Name some informal assessment strategies.
Name some informal assessment strategies.
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What are the benefits of informal assessments?
What are the benefits of informal assessments?
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What are limitations of informal assessments?
What are limitations of informal assessments?
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What is a criterion-referenced assessment?
What is a criterion-referenced assessment?
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What is a norm-referenced assessment?
What is a norm-referenced assessment?
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Study Notes
Educational Assessment
- Involves systematic evidence gathering to evaluate student knowledge, skills, and behaviors.
- Information is utilized to inform instructional and diagnostic decisions, enhancing performance.
Timing of Assessments
- Assessments typically administered before instruction to establish baseline knowledge and again afterward to measure learning gains.
- Ongoing modifications may be applied until a student meets a set performance level.
Assessment Selection
- Teachers must evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of various assessment types.
- The primary goal is to align the assessment method with its intended purpose.
Types of Assessments
- Classified into two main categories:
- Formal
- Informal
Formal Assessments
- Highly structured with defined guidelines for administration, scoring, and interpretation.
- Include standardized tests like achievement, aptitude, intelligence tests, and checklists.
- Can be conducted with groups for screening or individually for detailed evaluation.
Advantages of Formal Assessments
- Supported by data on reliability and validity.
- Allows for collecting consistent information from multiple students simultaneously.
Limitations of Formal Assessments
- Administration consumes instructional time.
- Special education adaptations may be necessary for standardized tests.
- Require trained personnel for proper implementation.
Informal Assessments
- Less structured, nonstandardized methods for evaluating student progress.
- Examples include quizzes, observations, and interviews.
Informal Assessment Strategies
- Direct questioning to assess understanding of lesson material.
- Curriculum-based assessments for tracking progress within the curriculum.
- Observational assessments during play for young children.
- Performance assessments to observe skill execution and adherence to safety.
- Task analysis to identify difficulties in specific tasks.
- Individual conversations to explore student thought processes and feelings.
- Portfolio assessments documenting student progress over time.
Benefits of Informal Assessments
- Flexible and customizable to meet individual student needs.
- Can be seamlessly integrated into regular classroom instruction.
- Enables prompt corrective feedback and instructional adjustments.
- Assesses direct links to curriculum content.
Limitations of Informal Assessments
- Prone to bias based on teacher expectations and interpretations.
- Provides limited comparative data across students.
- Requires considerable preparation time.
Criterion-Referenced Assessments
- Focus on whether students have mastered specific educational objectives.
- Students are assessed against defined criteria, measuring content mastery.
Norm-Referenced Assessments
- Comparatively measure a student's performance against a normative group.
- Provide insights into a student's relative standing within a population.
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Description
This quiz explores the concepts of formal and informal assessments in education. It covers the processes and importance of gathering evidence of student performance and its use in making instructional decisions. Test your knowledge and understanding of educational assessments today!