Feedback and Assessment

Feedback and assessment are essential parts of learning. However, it is important to remember that formal, graded tests are not the only method of assessment. It is important to give students a way to express what they know in different ways. It is also important to keep in mind that just because a student performs poorly on one type of assessment does not necessarily mean that he or she does not grasp the concept. Assessments are a way of the teacher to gauge where students are understanding the material, but it can be done in many different ways. For example, a student can journal about what he or she has learned.

Giving students feedback is far more important than giving students grades. Feedback should address the knowledge that students are supposed to have learned and feedback should provide insight into what needs to be done to improve the student's performance. It should not be personal, but instead it should focus on key aspects of the student's assessment. Another way to provide feedback is to engage the students in the feedback process. This way, they can reflect on their own performance or give advice to peers. It is important that these peer reviewers are reviewing what the student lacks in the assignment, and not giving grades or marking things correct and incorrect. Learning objectives also should be set so that students can find content to be relevant and applicable to the real world. Students should be allowed to personalize their learning goals.

Assessment and providing feedback relate to the gradual release of responsibility because teachers must first use focused instruction where the teacher shows the students how to perform a task. Then, students can be guided through an assignment while the teacher provides constant feedback as students participate. Feedback can also be provided during collaborative learning. And in the last stage, independent learning, teachers can use assessment to ensure that students have understood all of the material and teachers can provide feedback on individual assessment.

Assessment relates to the Equip and Reflect part of WHERETO because in order for students to do well on assessments, the teacher needs to provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. Then, it is important to provide students with time to revise and provide their own feedback on their work. Also, it is important to tailor the assessments to each student's needs because each student responds differently to different assessment methods.