Assessment Techniques

The idea of assessment strikes fear in the hearts of many people. This book if filled with ways to shift assessment from a source of fear to an energizing and motivating force for teachers and students. 

Based on a graduate education course of the same name, this book’s viewpoint is that the primary purpose of assessment is to help students learn and to help students and teachers become accurate assessors of themselves. It shows how to apply a wide range of assessment tools to any subject matter and how to develop a personal philosophy of assessment in the process. While written tests are addressed, most of the emphasis is on performance assessment.  Assessment Techniques for Student Learning gives you an opportunity to:

• Uncover unexamined assumptions (with the paradigms they inspire) and clarify personal values and goals regarding assessment.
• Consider the relevance of brain theory in regard to meeting students’ needs in assessment.
• Develop practical skills in designing high quality written tests and authentic assessments including observations, portfolios, artifacts, performances, learning logs, journals, self and peer assessment techniques, goal setting, plus effective ways students can assess the teacher.
• Explore ways to increase reliability —fairness in assessment.
• Practice the discipline involved in aligning outcomes, objectives, activities and assessment, the foundation of validity.
• Gain skill in designing and having students help design appropriate criteria and rubrics for a variety of assessments.
• Include varied thinking skills in assessment.
• Emphasize student self-assessment and responsibility for learning.