Conventional classroom settings offer limited assessment tools, such as test-taking and oral speeches. These methods are quick and easy, but they provide relatively limited information about a learner’s progress and the effectiveness of teaching within a unit of learning. Ongoing and broader types of assessment provide more meaningful information. Specifically, use assessment tools to:
- Gauge learners’ prior knowledge
- Clearly define and communicate learning goals to learners
- Provide diagnostic feedback to teachers and learners
- Assess and improve teaching effectiveness
- Identify learners’ strengths and weaknesses
- Improve learners’ awareness of learning progress
- Engage learners in self-assessment and communication of learning progress
- Use a variety of assessment methods
- Embed assessment throughout the learning cycle
- Assess the learning goal and assessment standards of the project
- Engage learners in the assessment processes
Before beginning a project, use assessment data to determine a starting point by addressing the following questions:
- What prior knowledge needs to be addressed?
- What types of activities are required?
- How will learners be grouped for collaborative learning?
During the project, use assessments with learners to:
- Share project goals and assessment standard criteria
- Provide self-direction opportunities for learners to set goals, make plans, and reflect on learning
- Monitor progress towards goals
- Monitor learning and understanding
- Foster peer feedback
- Identify misconceptions
- Determine if knowledge is being applied in new situations
- Identify areas for further study
- Plan upcoming learning opportunities
