Assessment as Learning
Assessment as Learning
As Learning of Assessment is a pedagogy in which learners take part in the evaluation of their own learning in an active way. It is based on self-assessment and reflection, through the use of which the pupils can discover their strengths and weaknesses and thus progress further in the understanding of a particular topic.
What are the key components of Assessment as Learning?
The main elements of Assessment as Learning are the self-assessment, peer assessment, and reflective practices. In self-assessment, students assess their own performance with predetermined criteria, fostering a feeling of control over their learning process. Peer assessment is a type of assessment where students provide constructive feedback to their peers, thus fostering collaborative learning and critical thinking skills. Lastly, the reflective practices support the students to ponder over their learning experiences, therefore, they themselves can learn effective methods and recognize the areas which need improvement.
How does Assessment as Learning differ from traditional assessment methods?
The main distinction between Assessment as Learning and traditional assessment methods lies in the fact that the former centers on the learner's active participation in the whole assessment process. Whereas conventional assessments tend to foreground marks and results, Assessment as Learning accepts first and foremost the learner's consciousness of the self and the student's perception of the learning process. For instance, instead of just flatly receiving a score for their performance in the test, students could analyze their answers, correct the wrong one, and on the ground of their findings, they could establish their own future learning goals.
What are the benefits of implementing Assessment as Learning in the classroom?
Classroom implementation of Assessment as Learning encompasses various advantages such as increased student motivation, higher learning outcomes, and more student independence. For instance, those learners that are self-assessors usually have a more favorable disposition towards acquiring knowledge, since they actively participate in their study process. This method also builds up the critical thinking skills, as the students assess their own work and consider the strategies they used in the learning process, which in turn provides a more profound comprehension of the material.
Can you provide an example of how a teacher might apply Assessment as Learning in their classroom?
A reflection journal project as a teacher could create an option for Assessment as Learning. At the end of each unit, students write on their learning, the struggles they went through, and the strategies they used to overcome those challenges. This activity, in turn, makes students to be more active in their learning by judging their own understanding and progress. Another way, the teacher could organize, is the peer review sessions, where students give feedback on their mates' performance, and therefore, the concepts of Assessment as Learning are implemented.