Conclusion

This is an excerpt from Grant Wiggins’ article Healthier Testing Made Easy: The Idea of Authentic Assessment 

“Here's a radical idea: We need more assessment, not less.  Seem crazy? Substitute feedback for assessment, and you'll better understand what I mean. The point of assessment in education is to advance learning, not to merely audit absorption of facts. That's true whether we're talking about that fourth-period pop quiz, the school play, or the state test. No one ever mastered a complicated idea or skill the first -- or fifth -- time. To reach any genuine standard, we need lots of trials, errors, and adjustments based on feedback.”

An overwhelming amount of research has shown us that quick and detailed feedback helps improve students’ understanding and the process of learning.  As time evolves and we have a vast amount of technological tools available to help not only engage students but to also provide them with timely feedback, an assessment toolbox is a key component to success in learning.

We assembled our toolbox after researching three different online tools:  SharePoint, ExamBuilder, and Blogger.  Like any tool, there is a time and a place for using them.  When determining which tool to use for assessment, one must always consider the objectives being measured, the prior knowledge of the student, timeliness of feedback and the understanding students have of the assessment tool.  Assessment should be built into the curriculum as part of the process of learning, not just to test the learning.  Students need to be able to apply their learning in various situations, not just regurgitate memorized facts.  If we teach without regularly checking to see who understands the information, through some form of assessment, the likelihood that only already-proficient students will succeed is increased.

As Wiggins closed his article he stated, “Students are entitled to a more educative and user-friendly assessment system. They deserve far more feedback -- and opportunities to use it -- as part of the local assessment process. Those tasks should recur, as in the visual and performing arts and in sports, so there are many chances to get good at vital work. When assessment properly focuses teaching and learning in this way, student self-assessment and self-adjustment become a critical part of all instruction and are themselves assessed.”

We hope you have enjoyed our assessment toolbox.

Reference:
Wiggins, Grant. Tests don't just measure absorption of facts. They teach what we value. Healthier Testing Made Easy: The Idea of Authentic Assessment http://www.edutopia.org/healthier-testing-made-easy  Wednesday, July 11, 2012