Assessing Student Learning Needs
I give an assessment on the first day to determine how much additional information should be added or removed from the course. If my students have a strong foundation we can go directly to content. If not, I go through a series of reviews in addition to adding the content.
What are some ways you can assess student learning needs?
Pre-tests are great for assessing student needs. By giving a pretest at the beginning of the course, one can discover deficient areas and hone in on them when constructing lessons.
I have been known to give a test on general math and verbal knowledge on the first day. This is a self graded test and helps me to evaluated my students strengths and weaknesses. I look them over individually and as a group to see any evidence of learning gaps and difficulties.
I try to pay extremely close attention to all my new students the first few weeks of classes. I give a variety of small assignments to see how the class responds to them. This affords me the opportunity to identify learning styles and recognize any needs some individuals may have.
In assessing student learning needs we need to be able to have a baseline. That can be an assessment a question and answer period or even a background academic file. After we have established this baseline we then need to speak with the student personally to see how they react to our questions about their needs to then complete student arming assessment.
Thank You,
Byron
An assessment exam on the first day of class helps me get an overall idea. In class question and answer sessions let me know if my explanation technique works and quiz's help determine how the class is doing overall.
While discussing student learning materials it is of importance to observe while lecturing the reactions students display. Thus, the lecturer may change his focus when needed such that the student's facial characteristics start to show better/improved understanding of the material given without the instructor interupting his lecture. A feeling of accomplishment likewise is displayed from the lecturer.
I begin assessing my students learning on the first night of class by handing a little "quiz, questionaire". This paper asked the student simple question that they need to answer with more than one answer, then I am able to assess the students, reading, writing, and spelling skills.
This help me determine how I need to present to the class in order to have all the student in class to be involved in the learning process.
Some of the ways I use are a general discussion of the topic, ask the students what they have heard or believe they already know, and through testing and then conversing with the student about their grades.
On the first day of class, when we do an ice breaker activity, I listen to how the students describe themselves. I also listen and observe how a student participates in a class discussion and/or group work. But I usually get my best indication after the first quiz.
Hi Christopher!
Observation is absolutely a key to success with students. If the instructor does not know what the student is doing in his effort to learn, how can the student or the instructor be successful.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I teach in a technical school and part of my curriculum is to have the students perform active, guided demonstrations. This is where the students are physically performing a task that is new to them as I guide them step by step through the task. This is where I am actively observing the students strengths and weaknesses so I can better my teaching approach for each individual.
Greetings Eric!
Thanks for sharing this approach to assessing student learning needs. You find the challenge, help the student to assess self performance then you provide additional feedback as needed.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
To determine the learning needs of my student
I do the following:
1.ask the student to share her/his previous
experiences.
2.Requires the student to write on a paper the
skills,concepts that she/him needed more
demonstration and explanation.
3.Administer pre-test
For me, I give them a very short written assignment on the third day of class which asks them to apply the foundational concept discussed in the prior class. This then lets me know who is and is not grasping this foundational concept that is needed for the rest of the course. I then spend a class period going over the assignment and have the students perform a self assessment afterward so they can reflect on their own work.
By having the students break into groups to present or talk to the class on a specific topic. I feel that this is a safe way to hear students interact with each other and determine how they are understanding the material and also allows other students to give feedback on how they interpert the material.
Hi Kimberly!
Yes, evaluating individual learning styles in the first couple of weeks is important. You know more about your students, therefore, you will use the best tools which will address different learning styles.
Perhaps the short-snswer, problem-solving quizzes will address some learning styles, but I don't think you will get a comprehensive view of your student's learning styles.
Do you have a tool that you use for evaluating student needs? If you don't - I suggest that you post the question to see if other instructors have something that they use.
Keep up the good work!
Janae Davis
ED16 Facilitator
Asking for short-answer problem-solving on quizzes can help. Does evaluating individul learning styles on Day 1 help, do you think? I think learning needs may be partially addressed if activities are constructed to answer various learning styles.
Hi Frank!
What baseline test do you use for assessing students with learning needs?
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
