Reflection on Assessments

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Towards a Balanced Form of Performance Assessment

Current trends in education recognize crucial aspects of performance assessment including time , behavior management , student readiness , etc These aspects require a balanced form of performance assessment that maintain balance when giving assessment thus promotes the use of various assessments during the learning process

McMillan (2003 ) emphasizes the difference between assessment of learning and assessment for learning . In the first form , learning is assessed to record performance as a result of instruction . This pertains to formal assessment such as

summative assessment or unit tests . However , in the second , assessment is used to determine effectiveness of instruction based on student performance . This form pertains to formative assessment also known as alternative or informal assessment . McMillan favors the second form because through formative or informal assessment , teachers are able to assess learning while instruction is taking place . Through this , assessment not only helps to document learning , but also enhances learning among all students

Formative assessment is important because there are times when students do not express difficulty or failure to understand some parts of the lesson . When the teacher asks , Are there questions ' they politely answer , ' for fear of being teased by their classmates Therefore , by giving formative assessment , the teacher will know which aspects of the lesson were not understood well , and who among the students need further guide to grasp fully the lesson

Formative assessments are strongly recommended because of their...