Hurdle Task – Assessment

Assessment

Assessments are used to measure and improve student learning, guide future teaching, and provide feedback to students. There are assessments for, as and of learning. Diagnostic assessment is used to measure student knowledge and is usually conducted prior to the unit is begun. It assists teachers in understanding what the students already know to adjust their teaching strategies. Formative assessment is carried along throughout the completion of the unit, usually through informal activities. They provide an indication of student progress and are also factored in when adjusting future learning activities. Summative assessments are the most formal and completed at the conclusion of a unit. They are a final assessment of student understanding and are often used in student reports of grades. The teacher is able to compare all three assessment types throughout the unit to identify student progress and make a judgement on learning activities required to meet the syllabus outcomes for each unit. When designing and selecting assessment activities, it is always important to take into consideration the skills and outcomes that the teacher wants to assess. These skills should be addressed in the unit to ensure students are prepared to complete the assessment to the best of their ability. The marks given are then translated into a letter grade which appears on the student’s report.