Hi June- Thanks for your post to the forum. I also like self assessments because it forces students to truly look at what THEIR level of achievement is. Then, the next step is up to them! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Self assessments can be done during each class period. It allows students an opportunity to reflect on what they learned and to evaluate their own learning. It empowers students to be accountable for their learning. In addition, the instructor can use it as a monitoring to tool to guide instruction and student progress.
Having students list duties and goals will help the student construct a contract of their responsibilities for their own learning. Keeping a log will direct students to reflect on the learning. The final report will be an exercise to show the student how far they have come and identify if they met their goals and completed the duties of a learner. All these are rich insights for the instructor from the perspective of the student which can help in planning and instruction.
The student is motivated to truly examine his goals and how well they are being achieved. Self assessments will allow for more in depth review of covered material on an on going basis.
I agree with Janell, as the progressive reinforcement of success is motivational to the next level of learning.
Wonderful tool to help guide them on their own journey of learning and to help us as instructors to meet them where they are.
It puts the sense of responsibility also on the student.I address my class, on the first day, that education is a 2-way street and commitment. I am commited to present information and you commit to acquire it. On a weekly basis, I ask questions to them and obtain feedback on whee they stand as fa as the information retained. They assess themselves and then we reiterate the points lost or have 1-1 tutoring.
Hi Donna, Good question. I ask my students to regularly submit an "Action plan" which is a self improvement plan that is based on their self assessments. I make sure to review that "Action Plan" with them. Susan
Susan Polick
I feel it gives the students an opportunity to reflect and see what areas may need improvement.
In our program self assessment is required but I find students do not put much effort into it after a while (as far as completing the documentation) unless the instructor is close by. Not that they aren't practicing their skills, it just seems after continuous self assessment they quit being so earnest about completing the forms. I am looking for a way to help them utilize the self-assessment information for personal growth without having to hover. Maybe we are utlizing self assessment too much. Suggestions?
Hi Betty, Thanks for your post to the forum. Because students are self assessing, it also encourages them to take responsibility for any gaps in their learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I think that using self assessments can be very useful tools in the classroom not only for me but also for the student. These assesments allow me to see where the student is at information wise. Which allows me to know where to start and to be easier to plan for a lecture.
Hi Donna, Thanks for your post to the forum. As you describe, student self assessments are really a "Win-Win" for students and instructors. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
Self assessments are critical in our program. It allows the instructor to look at each student and see where the student is in the learning process. It provides feedback for me to see what extra work I need to do with the student to bring them to a level of compitance in the course. Allowing the students to be ready to move on and provide quality patient care to the "Customer". This makes the student more comfortable in the setting and provides a better chance of employment.
Student self-assessments can certainly help the student as well as the instructor. The student can evaluate their knowledge coming into the course and how much knowledge was obtained by the end of the course. The instructor on the other hand learns from the student on how well the course was delivered. Were all the student's goals attained? If not, how could the instructor have improved? Pre-testing and post-testing can also benefit the student in that the student can "see" where they were, and how "far" they came in the course, and have they really met their goals.
Hi Felecia, That periodic input on individual progress is very useful for students. Giving feedback only through midterms or other larger exams is not the best way to go. Best wishes - Susan
Susan Polick
I love the pre and post test assessments. Not only do they serve a tool to assess where a student falls but I use them to show the students what they have accomplished during the class or on a bi-weekly basis. They also serve as guide to show the students where they need to be and what direction they need to take to accomplish the objectives.
Hi Dennis, Thanks for your post to the forum. I find that when they self assess, students tend to take more responsibility for improving their learning. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Susan Polick
I feel it lets the students know how they are doing and what areas need to be improved. dennis
Student self-assessments assists students to identify their level of understanding of course material.
