Assessments for Learning

Student Assessments are critical in the process of teaching and learning. Nevertheless, the value and purpose of various learning assessments are often overlooked by the most. What they do not understand is that assessments have direct impact on the students themselves.    

Role of Assessments for Learning

Assessment of learning and assessment for learning are two very different things. The former refers to what the teachers do when scoring or grading a student's work. Mostly, assessment of learning allows teachers to correct the exam  and look for errors. Afterwards, calculate the grade and record it. The grades that the students receive justify the errors of the students. None the less, this is purely transaction where pointing out errors may not lead to any additional learning. Even if you are able to point specific errors that the students continuously makes, you, as their teacher, are not giving them the opportunity to improve. This is where assessments for learning step in and change!

Assessment for learning are completely different compared to the traditional classroom grading. Its purpose is to give positive feedback, guiding and coaching the student to achieve success in anything they do as compared to designated a grade. Assessment for learning aims to transform a student into understanding what he or she is doing wrong and work based on this. There is a need to point the students in the right direction more so they are able to make discoveries on their own. It is important to always give the students positive feedback and credit for having gone as far as they have. In this way, they will not feel like their teacher is suppressing them, rather encouraging them to improve academically.

The difference between the two systems is very apparent. The need of guiding the students in achieving classroom success will definitely depend on the ability of the teachers to do so. If the teachers are not be able to guide, then this will reflect on the ability of the teacher to transform their students into 'star students'. Student success is not only about getting high grades but ensuring that they understand and are able to relate their  education to the everyday life inside and outside the classroom.

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