State the different assessment methods available and explain the ones you would use for your subject area, including reference to initial assessment. State the types of assessment records you would complete and explain why.
This sections relates one of the Theoretical assignments for PTLLS at Level 3. My assignment will be based on me looking to teach Science, Maths and ICT.
P.S: On a kind note, please do not copy anything submitted here and display them in your file. This has been published here, purely to help you gain an idea / understanding of what they expect you to write and how you have to write. You will have to relate to your own subject area, experience in your classroom and lectures while preparing the files. Thank you for your co-operation.
Assessment is a process of recording the knowledge, skills and attitudes of learners, and also helps to study the learner’s understanding of the subject. It can focus on individual learners, a group of learners or the institution as a whole. It is always best to start any course with an assessment of student’s prior learning, so that the teacher can start their teaching at the correct level, and ensure an inclusive teaching method where every learner’s needs are met.
Multiple Choice assessment – This includes a set of multiple choices or multiple selections, or true / false questions, that help to assess the understanding of the learners about the subject.
Written short answer – This method of assessment includes short answers, small problems and diagrams, and it gives students a chance to express their thoughts and ideas.
Written long answers – This method includes essay type questions, which gives students a better chance to express their ideas in detail with lots of creative information.
Research projects – This method involves practical work and written explanation. The work has to be analysed and interpreted in different ways, like charts and graphs to prove and explain what was discovered.
Verbal questioning – This method involves questions and answers on a particular topic, and helps identify the verbal skills of the learners.
Observing practical work – This method involves the tutor observing the learners performance at workplace.
Class test – This method also helps assess the written skills of the learners through small tests on a particular topic.
Quiz activities – These help assess the general knowledge in a subject area, and helps to assess the level to which students are aware of that particular subject and help to prepare students for the course.
The initial assessment can take place in the form of question and answers in icebreaker activities or group discussions of previous knowledge. For a science course, there will be an initial assessment prior to start of the course in order to ensure that the candidate have a good standard of Literacy and Numeracy. Also the qualifications and experience of the students will be assessed against the course needs through a written application form and short interview. Then the first session can begin with a group discussion and a multiple choice assessment to assess the students’ level of understanding of the subject which will also be part of the initial assessment.
Having assessed the prior understanding of learners, formative assessments can be carried out which will be ongoing all through to the end of the course. It allows both the teacher and the learner to develop and improve their knowledge as the course progresses. This assessment will be practical activities, question and answers, assignments or reports which will be documented throughout the course. Activity sheets will be handed at the end of each session to assess students’ understanding, which will be marked and handed in the next session.
At the end of the course, it is necessary to have a summative assessment to ensure that the aims and objectives of the course have been met. For example when I teach science, the final exam will be a written paper to assess students’ knowledge of subject, and a practical assessment to observe the skills that have been mastered. Also a final tutorial will be arranged, to discuss how the learning experience can be applied in their lives to go further in their career.
All the assessments that were carried out have to be recorded. It helps involve pupils in the learning process, provide information on learner’s development, identifies special educational needs, assists in reporting to parents, governing bodies and LEAs and monitor the effectiveness of targeted actions.
Date and time of assessment?
Others involved in the assessment?
Why and how assessment took place?
· Record of students’ progress.
· Indicates date of assessment.
· Grade achieved – pass or refer.
· Ensure relevant legislation is followed.
· Can be used for audit purposes.