Sunday, March 13, 2011

Formative Assessment


Before you start reading this page just think of the assessment techniques used by you for a particular chapter or unit (whatever subject you teach), make a list of that, when and how to use that. ….
Now start reading….
First what is assessment? Assessment is act of finding out the strengths and weaknesses of the learner. The scope of Assessment goes from everyday classroom tests to board examinations, from morning to night, from during the teaching to after the teaching. When we talk of assessment we just think of unit tests (usually after three or four units!! Isn’t it funny?) or midterm or session ending exams. But society is changing very fast; we can’t expect our children to learn in the same way as we did 20/25 years ago. Today's society has moved from an industrial to an information-based society that relies on a far greater use and application of technological understanding and has goals that promote equal opportunity for learning for all its citizens. So the techniques should be changed. Basically these assessments can be categorized in two types. One during teaching and other after the teaching.  One during the formation (of knowledge) days and other after the term.
Formative Assessment is part of the instructional process. When incorporated into classroom practice, it provides the information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are happening. In this sense, formative assessment informs both teachers and students about student understanding at a point when timely adjustments can be made. These adjustments help to ensure students achieve, targeted standards-based learning goals within a set time frame. Although formative assessment strategies appear in a variety of formats, there are some distinct ways to distinguish them from summative assessments. I think formative assessment more for teachers than students. I think gone are the days when teachers are not professional (then what?) can you expect expertise from amateur (antonym of professional!!). The teachers should and must be professional. And you should evaluate yourself first how you are doing your job. And these can be done best in formation days. I know I am going to be criticized for the above statements.(who cares?)
Before understanding assessment we should learn the process of learning outcomes( sources IGNOU B.ED STUDY MATERIALS and various other websites) learning happens in six levels: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation.
Now the construction of formative assessment in these six levels. You can create more actions in the respective levels.
Knowledge level
This is the lowest level, during the transaction of lesson you can ask to
action
How you ask to do
tell
What is …. ?
State/define
Define the term. State thales thm.
Find/locate, list
Find the meaning of…
write
Write the name of the poet
name
Name the important events
There can be more actions depending on the subject and chapters. But be Careful to select because this is the lowest level of formation.


Comprehension level

action
How you ask to do
Explain/ interpret
Write in your own words
discuss
Who are the main characters
distinguish
Distinguish between words infectious, contagious
categorize

predict
What If there were not zero
Application level

action
How you ask to do
apply
Apply the knowledge
solve
Solve the situation…
construct
Construct a quadratic equation
prove
Prove
draw
Draw a triangle similar to another triangle
Analysis level

action
How you ask to do
Analyse
Analyse the situation
examine
Examine the validity
explain
Why the name of this poem ….
compare
Compare between the methods
classify
Can you group by the characteristic..
Synthesis level
action
How you ask to do
create
Design a questionnaire to gather information
invent
Compose a new song, invent a new advertisement to a particular product.
construct
Construct a new example…
imagine
Imagine that this method were not there..
devise
Devise a new way of ..

Evaluation  level
action
How you ask to do
judge
Is there a better solution?
justify
Justify the statement…
verify
Verify the validity…
argue
Whether it is true or false.
assess
How effective is/ are ….
 don't forget to provide meaningful comments.


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