Effective Assessment (Ch.8)

Abstract:
The basis of this chapter is how to create an assessment that the students can use as a tool for promoting their learning, rather than just seeing what they know. The assessment should further the work they have already done, yet show how far they have come and demonstrate their learning. The suggestions that the chapter makes for the things to include to make the assessment effective are defining clear goals for the student, an activity that is rigorous and motivating, something that focuses on essential knowledge from the unit, it should use multiple disciplines, it should indicate the students' knowledge, should be a source of reliable information, use various formats, and best of all it should be easy to grade. The chapter explains the importance of each of these elements and gives a lot of encouragement on how to make this assignment worthwhile for the teacher and the student.

Reflection:
I really enjoyed this chapter because something I have sort of feared as a teacher is having assignments for the students that I simply wouldn't want to review and grade. This chapter encourages the use of many different kinds of assessments and the many ways that it can be made worth while. It is so important to assign something that the students are willing to engage themselves and their time in, or else the best work will not be put forth. The suggestions in the chapter were really helpful as far as the different things to include within the assignment and how to set things up grading wise for such a multidimensional assignment. It is so important to me to look at the success of the students in these ways rather than in the forms of tests and quizzes. I want to always know that students can truly apply and access the information that we are looking at.