Assessment Techniques
Assessment is a crucial step in the design of an course. It is how we know whether students have mastered the learning objectives we have set. The kind of assessment which measures learning is called “Summative” — a summation of what students have mastered. There is another kind of assessment, “Formative” — to help students form learning. Introducing formative assessments can help your students master the material.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
This kind of assessment has a number of purposes: to gauge what students came to class with; to reinforce learning from a reading; to help students study for a summative assessment.
A FINAL WORD ABOUT ASSESSMENT FOR ADULT LEARNERS
The research shows that adults need to feel engaged, respected and included in the class. If possible, let students have some choice about assessment techniques and dates, and let them choose some questions on any assessment which receives a grade. Give students prompt feedback and guidance on how to improve once the assessment is done, and allow time for them to reflect on their own accomplishments and successes.