Week 1 Reflection

During the first week of class, I learned that there are different kinds and ways to assess

children. While breaking this down, The first important part of understanding is the difference

between formal and informal assessments. Formal assessments are standardized, collect

statistical data, compare student performance, and can assess the effectiveness of programs

or schools. Informal assessments are more focused on individual performance, allow teachers

to see strengths and weaknesses, and help teachers plan accordingly. 

Assessment vs Evaluation: 

These both can be interchangeable but we need to understand that they aren’t the exact same. 

Assessment: Gather information about students learning 

Evaluation: Process of examining information about assessing. 

Cycle of Assessment: 

Teaching/learning, gathering evidence, giving feedback, reflecting/plan

This cycle will continuously repeat 

5 types of Educational assessments: 

Diagnostic assessments: given at the beginning of a unit to assess skills before learning content 

Formative assessment: assess for learning and provides feedback that isn’t graded 

Summative assessment: assess of learning and show what you have learned

Norm-referencing testing: comparing students with the same age/grade level to average students 

Criterion-referenced exams: standardized testing that compares if the student knows content 

Personal Experiences: 

When I was in elementary school, I remember being assessed in multiple different ways including quick checks, quizzes, unit tests, state testing, reading level testing, individualized testing, and project-based testing. Most of them were not too bad but I do remember having a little bit of testing anxiety, especially with the biggest assessments. I don’t want students to experience any testing anxiety so I want to create ways to assess students without them getting worked up. I believe that it’s important to remind students that assessments are to show what you have learned and what you know. Understanding that perspective will help students feel at ease. I also think it’s important to find fun and creative ways to assess students. This will keep students more engaged and focused and they will also put more effort into assessments if they enjoy them. I would apply this by having students do activities or games and walk around and have them show me how they are doing it or teach me how. If they are able to do this, that tells me they understand the content. If they aren’t able to, that tells me they need more practice. I would also implement short quick checks and exit tickets. These can give me an idea if there are specific areas that need more focus or not.