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Assessment is used for two main reasons: improvement and accountability. Assessment
can help improve the quality of teaching, learning, programs and services, and planning and
decision making. Furthermore, Assessment can validate current programs, services, and
teaching and learning efforts and thereby secure continued support for them by demonstrating
The table below summarizes the different purposes of assessment as seen from the
schools/organizations.
Student/Trainee Students are able to determine if they have learned the content that was
feedback in the form of a grade and written comments from the teacher.
also allow students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and help
have met the learning goals and objectives. This allows teachers/trainers
Organization organization is on the right track. They can ascertain if changes need to
federal student aid funds, so they must ensure that they are producing
learning goals.
There are three main types of assessment: Diagnostic Assessment, Formative Assessment, and
As shown in the graphic above, learning can be measured by three types of assessments.
measure learning during instruction. Summative assessments measure learning after instruction.
Diagnostic Assessments
Weaknesses
Strengths
These assessments may cause an
These assessments give
instructor to make an incorrect
instructors a starting point for
assumption about a students
instruction based on the learners
ability level.
knowledge and skill level.
It takes adequate time and
These assessments help keep
planning in order to administer
students from being bored
these types of assessments in
because they ensure that
advance so that their results can
instructors arent teaching
be taken into consideration when
content is common knowledge.
designing curriculum.
fall. The diagnostic assessment would be given during the summer before the course is scheduled
to run. This would allow the instructor enough time to determine where instruction needs to
Rationale: A diagnostic assessment is the best choice in these circumstances because it allows
the instructor to get an idea of what content needs to be included and what content can be
omitted.
ASSESSMENT PURPOSES TRAINING MANUAL 6
Formative Assessments
Formative assessments are assessments that are used during the learning process.
The purpose is to improve students learning.
Strengths Weaknesses
These assessments allow These assessments may yield
instructors to get an idea of how surprising results since they can
their students are doing on a be given any time and students
regular basis. arent necessarily prepared for
them. In other words, these types
These can be done quickly and
of assessment are normally
dont require a lot of
impromptu, and students dont
preparation. For example,
study for them.
students can be asked to
complete a short quiz or an exit Another weakness is that
ticket at the end of a class teachers need to think ahead and
period to see what they learned consider what type of formative
during the class. assessment would be most
useful.
Most of these assessments are
simple and easy to create.
Scenario: An instructor creates and administers a 5-question quiz at the end of a lesson to gauge
student learning. She does this at the end of each lesson so she knows if she needs to reteach any
(Note: A chapter or unit is normally made up of several to many different lessons, so this would
Rationale: Short quizzes are types of informal assessments that are used during the learning
process to inform the teacher of their students progress. A formative assessment, such as a short
quiz like this, is the best choice for assessing the students learning during instruction because it
provides valuable information to the instructor. If most students answer the questions correctly,
the instructor knows she can move on. If most students fail to answer the questions correctly, the
instructor knows she needs to monitor, adjust, and reteach the content.
Genetics Quiz
ASSESSMENT PURPOSES TRAINING MANUAL 9
Summative Assessments
Summative assessments are assessments that are used after learning occurs. The
purpose is to evaluate students learning and mastery of the learning objectives.
Weaknesses
Strengths
These assessments often require
These assessments allow the greatest amount of time to
instructors to determine if the create.
learning objectives were met.
Instructors must consider what
Summative assessments provide types of questions they will ask
a good overview of the and what format to use for the
effectiveness of the teaching that test. They must write the
was done before the test or questions and ensure they are
performance assessment was accurate, reliable, and valid or
administered. create a rubric to measure the
results of a performancebased
assessment.
Scenario: An instructor wants to use a performance-based assessment that requires his students
to develop a presentation to summarize what they have learned during the unit.
Rationale: This type of assessment is the best choice because it allows students to demonstrate
the learning that has occurred over a period of time. The instructor can then use the data from the
assessment to determine how effective the instruction was, and to discern areas of strengths and
Presentation Layout is confusing or Layout of some pages Layout of most pages The layout is clear
inappropriate is easy to follow is easy to follow and easy to follow
Weight = 1
Missing some Backgrounds and text Some backgrounds Backgrounds and text
are effective, but
backgrounds and/or text are not effective work well together
some issues with text
Many issues with contrast Issues with contrast contrast Multimedia adds to
between backgrounds between backgrounds Multimedia main purpose
and text and text sometimes doesnt
Multimedia is not included Multimedia does not add to the main
purpose
add to the main
purpose
Mechanics Extensive errors in Many errors in Very few errors in Grammar and usage
Weight = 1 grammar or usage grammar or usage grammar or usage are correct
Many punctuation Some punctuation Minor punctuation Punctuation is
mistakes mistakes mistakes accurate
Frequent spelling errors Some spelling errors Minor spelling errors Spelling is generally
correct
Slides need extensive Slides need some Slides need little
editing editing editing Slides need little or no
editing
Total =
____ /24
Comments/
Feedback:
(Rogers, No Date)
ASSESSMENT PURPOSES TRAINING MANUAL 11
Image by kingcolemedia.com
Conclusion:
Assessments can vary, from being simple to complex. A variety of assessments are used
for different purposes. It is important for the instructor to determine which type of assessment is
References
Author Unknown. (2017). Example analytic rubric: Articulating thoughts through written
https://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/teaching-guides/feedback-
grading/rubrics/Pages/types-of-rubrics.aspx
Rogers, Al. (No Date). Power Point evaluation criteria. Global SchoolNet Foundation and
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/165788830010733119
Suskie, L. (2009). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide (2nd ed.). San Francisco,
CA: Jossey-Bass.