How do we assess and evaluate?
Key Questions:
1. What is the difference between formative and summative assessment?The difference between formative and summative assessment is just as the names suggest. Formative assessments are given throughout the unit or class such as quizzes. Whereas, summative assessments are given at the end of a unit or year to determine the students understanding of the topic or unit at the end.
For example, a formative assessment in my Intro to Ag class may be having my students take a dog breeds quiz during our small animal science unit of instruction to determine if they are prepared to move on to a more in depth topic related to the specific dog breeds. Whereas, at the end of the small animal science unit, I may give them a quiz that addresses all of the topics we discussed in the unit of instruction.
2. Why assess learning? What is the purpose?
The purpose behind assessing learning is actually quite simple. Teachers assess learning so that they are able to determine where their students are at. Whether it is a pretest to meet students where they are at, or a test during a unit to see how much students are able to comprehend, understand, and assess the learning that has just occurred, testing allows teachers to determine the support that their students need or if the students are prepared to move on to the next unit or topic of instruction. Although students will not be tested formally once they leave our classrooms, they will always be assessed. This assessment may not occur with a rubric however, no matter what field my students go into, whether that is sales, veterinary medicine, or horticulture, they will be assessed in everything that they do.
For example, the student in my Intro to Ag class may have a strong interest in animal science and go on to be a veterinarian- while he may not be formally assessed, the interactions that he makes with his clients and his clients owners will assess his veterinary skills and how likely they are to return to his veterinary clinic.
If Billy does not calculate the proper dosages for Mrs. Smith's kitten, or does not treat the kitten with care; he could lose his job.
-Clarity is key.
-Know the difference between fair and accurate ways of evaluating exceptional learners.
-There are advantages and disadvantages to all types of testing/assessment.
-Evaluation is used to address the strengths and needs of learners.
-Rubrics can be used to assess learners in a more reliable manner.
Resources:
Newcomb, L.H., McCracken, J.D., Warmbrod, J.R., & Whittington, M.S. (1993). Methods of teaching agriculture. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Note: Chapter 14 Evaluation of Learning
Stoughton, A.L. & Myers, B.E. (2008) Creating and working with rubrics. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WC/WC06900.pdf
Jung, L.A. & Guskey, T.R. (2010). Grading exceptional learners. Educational Leadership, 67(5). Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educationalleadership/feb10/vol67/num05/Grading-ExceptionalLearners.aspx
Warner, W.J. & Myers, B.E. (2010). Evaluating learning in laboratory settings. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WC/WC06000.pdf
Kayla, I liked the key points that you gathered from the reading. How will you use this knowledge in your future classroom?
ReplyDeleteKayla, I appreciate your point about how students will be assessed in their careers after they leave our classroom. It's important for them to understand that!
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