Hello Tomi,
I also agree that looking from the instructor’s point of view is important. I often ask this question in faculty meetings “if the majority of students fail a quiz; is this a reflection of the instructor or the student?†I was surprise to see instructors thought it was the students fault for not studying.
Marie
To assess or conclude students’ learning relative to outcome/objectives; knowledge and/or skills at the end of the course.
Marie
Alice,
You make such a great point. Yes, instructors need to know how assessments fit in the measuring of objectives. Good assessment allows students to demonstrate their knowledge/skills in real world situation, if that is part of the objectives.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Eric ,
You are "spot" on. It must carry out the assessment of the objectives and give students ample opportunities to demonstrate their work. Students also need to know the purpose of the assessment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I feel the most important thing to consider is does the instructor have a full understanding of the objectives and how best they should be demonstrated? The second thing is, are real world situations and the reality of the job when the students are working worked into those objectives and therefore the assessment?
If these two things are considered and proven, then I believe the assessment is as it should be.
When designing a means of Summative assessment, in this case let us assume a final project, that assessment should do two things:
1) Display through student demonstration a thorough understanding of required material. (Ie: Performing listed tasks, or meeting given criteria)
2) That demonstration should rely on a variety of evaluation techniques. (ie: carrying out a specific process, or answering questions in several different ways such as multiple-choice, short answer, or if possible, oral extemporaneous)
The requirements of a given program will dictate which methods are possible or optimal.
Heather,
True, it is a delicate balance. You want to alter the course to improve student learning but you need to be true to the objectives of the course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It is important to consider what skills and knowledge the students have as well as what options there are in altering/updating the course to fit the students' specific needs.
Kurt,
Great statement. You must align the measurement with expectations. It is so important to realize that.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Summative assessments are typically the ones used to assign grades, so it is important that the summative assessment adequately measures the level of knowledge that was expected to be achieved. It is also important that the level of measurement is consistent with the expectations for student learning.
Kurt
Sharon,
This is true. We want to use this data to determine learning and to determine changes in the course that helps learning. Using the information well is so important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The first important consideration is thinking about the original goals and objectives and were they met. The second thing to consider is evaluation and potential changes that can or should be done to improve the overall outcome.
Sharon
Steve,
I agree with you, and you make a great point. The student and the instructor should be "on the same page" regarding assessment. We don't always think about that.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Gary,
I agree with you! If a student asks why, the dialog is opened and the opportunity to engage with the student is there.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
When conducting summative assessments it is important that both the instructor and the student understand the objective so the desired outcome is achieved. Next the instructor needs to consider how this assessment applies to real-world situations.
As I read through these great posts, I really like this one! I could not have said this better myself, especially on the "why" part of this. Students always want to know "why" points are being deducted and it has to be clear, not ambiguous at all. I also think the instructor should open up the opportunity for a student to personally inquire if the "whys" have not sufficiently been answered in written form of a rubric or otherwise.
Robert,
Great point! It is so true that formative assessments can take the burden from the summative assessment. We really don't think about that. You make another great point, time spent on material translates to students what is important. Assessment should reflect that. Great post with important considerations.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think the first is to be sure sufficient formative assessments have taken place so that the instructor, and student, can feel comfortable that learning is actually occurring! A lack of such formative assessments can place to great a burden on the last exam, quiz, project or what-have-you.
The second most important aspect is to make sure the assessment covers material/information in and equal amount to the time spent on that material. If it's an objective assessment then, I think, it's easier to assure that happens, but if it's more subjective, care must be taken not to ask for more than the student can be expected to deliver.
Robert,
You are so right. You do want to make sure that your objectives are measured appropriately by your assessments. Your assessments should "sum up" your students' learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Twyla ,
You make such an important point! How does the student respond to the material and the feedback. I have actually started working with students on using feedback to improve learning. They understand grades, they don't always know what to do with the feedback.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
