First and formost the need to assess is directly connected to the student's ability to process information and provide 'feedback' to the instructor regarding what they have learned. This is vital - without this information the instructor cannot develop presentations that will be beneficial to the students. Now, this does not mean that the instructor should 'dumb-down' lectures, but rather allows the instructor to present information in a way that allows students to absorb the data while still providing a challenging and interactive invironment for the more advanced students. Secondly, these assesments provide the instructor with information about the skll levels of the class, presenting a 'bell-curve' of skill sets that will help with the development of lesson plans and will allow the instructor to focus on the needs of 'at-risk' students who need additional support.
Hi Gabriel- the skills that you mention are so valued by employers and we need to ensure that our students recognize this. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Job promotions are largely based on how well an employee understands the culture in which they work. They are also expected to be flexible and effective in their approach to new situations. The ability to understand written instructions, the ability to write a coherent paragraph, and the ability to do basic math makes for an employee who is valued.
Hi Robin - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree with your comments about many parents today. When I was a child, if I got in trouble at school, I was in even more trouble with my parents! Good idea mixing younger and older studenrs together. They learn from each other. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
After being a nurse for 26 years I entered into the public school system as a teacher. My belief before becomming a teacher was that the school system was broken and we had teachers who did not care whether their students learned anything but just passed them on. I found that this is not the case. Although there are poor teachers teaching just like there are poor nurses taking care of people not all teachers are bad. It is not the school systems that have failed the students but the parents who do not involve themselves in the education of their children. Learning is not enforced at home like it was when I was growing up. Instead parents who do not want to be bothered buy game systems for their children to babysit or movies to keep their children occupied. Another aspect that parents do not teach their children is respect for themselves and others which also interferes with the learning process in the classroom. After entering the college atmosphere of teaching I found that older students tend to learn and apply the knowledge they have gained much better than that of the younger students. An effective way of applying skills and knowledge that works for me is to pair off older students with younger ones in the class, give them a case study or a problem to solve, and let them work together to solve it in the classroom. Participation merits extra credit points and each student must participate in the process of coming to an answer. I assess involvement by walking around the class and observing who is actually activily participating. Points are given to those who do only.
It's important for the students to understand that these skills are imperative to the understanding of basic knowledge. Also how they communicate through speech and writing is going to reflect if can understand orders that are asked of them. Being in a kitchen, converting recipes is very important and this is a battle that I face with many of my students because they can never grasp the imporantance of knowing their basic math elements. Holding classes and using visuals to make that connection for conversions has helped.
These skills are the building blocks that all areas of study are built upon. If the basics aren’t learned then more advanced skills cannot be learned, classes will not be able to work at the appropriate level, and students/instructors will become frustrated in the classroom setting.
Assessment helps instructors know what kind of students they are dealing with and how best to communicate with each student. Without assessment instructors can be spinning their wheels without positive results.
Hi Allen- Thanks for your post to the forum. I find that often in the technical programs, students do not understand the importance of communication/professional skills. As you state, they are of course, essential to success in the workplace. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Why is the assessment of general education skills such as reading, written communication, and math important to instructors?
In my work with career colleges and universities, I tend to teach primarily general education courses that focus on the skills mentioned in this question. As module 3 information indicates, many people cannot excel or will lose jobs not because of skill sets, but because of poor communication skills. I will add to this professional skills. Regardless of profession, people need to carry themselves with professional demeanor and have the communication skills, both written and oral, in order to do their jobs effectively. Not in all cases, but in many cases in career college settings, this literally has to be taught when people do not have these experiences. At the same time, I express to my students that it does not matter what age or college students attend, in some way, shape, or form these general education skills are being assessed and taught. If not, students will not be effective in their professions and as educators and educational institutions, we would be failing them.
There is no substitute for an instructor's knowledge of his or hers students' learning abilities. Knowing this allows the instructor to know the strengths and weaknesses of the students.
Hi Joel - Thanks for your post to the forum. i am very impressed with your holistic approach with your Math students. Unfortunately, with Math and Reading/Writing Skills we do assume a certain basic level that our college students will have - and sometimes they clearly do not. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Susan,
These assessments are important to understand where students are with the fundamental basic tool sets that are used to build on with their career specific courses.
It will be very difficult for a student to be successful without a strong foundation in the Gen Ed core competencies.
As a mathematics instructor, I am involved in the assessment of math skills and have several goals in-mind with my assessments. One is to understand each student’s skill level and comfort with topics coming into each of my classes. This helps me understand what level each student is at and ensures that I do not make any assumptions about where a student is at with their incoming knowledge level. Second, I use it to assess their learning and my delivery effectiveness throughout the quarter with quizzes and in-term assessments. Finally, with the summative evaluation, I again look for the growth that has been achieved over the course with their knowledge, comprehension and application of material we have covered in preparation for their success with future classes that will build upon this growth.
Hi Lynn - Unfortunately, I share your frustration. Still, we have to do the best that we can with those students. Best wishes! Susan
It seems like with so many students that assessment has failed. It is important to me because if they don't have the basic skills there is nothing to build on in the future. Their lack of mastery of the basics means they can't or shouldn't pass a higher class so then my time in the higher class is spent instructing them to reach the initial level they should have possessed at the begining of the class. I am seeing quite a spread in general education skills coming out of highschools and I don't recall that spread being as great in the past.
The assessment of general education skills such as reading, written communication, and math helps instructors understand a students overall ability to learn. Before being able to grasp advanced topics, an instructor must know that their students have showed competency in basic skills before moving on with their lesson. This can be considered a "macro" view of a baseline assessment of seeing the overall ability of how well your students learn.
Hi Mario - Thanks for your post to the forum. It can be difficult to try to instill the soft skills our students need in just the short time they are with us, but as you say, we do the best that we can. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
It done, whether formally before meeting the class, or on the fly, by the instructor. I like to form my own opinions. It give me a chance to ask questions of the students in a conversational format (less teacher/student. It is a chance to communicate one on one without the burden of right & wrong answers.
General education skills are demands of the field. We are constantly seeking to reinforce these skills in our adult students. For our courses to be value-added to the community, we strive to impart specific knowledge while also enhancing the soft skills that make our adult students solid staff members.
Hi Lynda- Thanks for your post to the forum. Unfortunately, we do encounter students who just cannot read at the college level. You mention alternatives that you offer; would you mind sharing some examples? Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
