Assessment and Evaluation: Do we really know the difference...!?

Purpose:

The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student's learning.

What is Assessment?

The process of gathering information, from a variety of sources that actually reflects students' learning and achievement as how well the progress is gained according to the expectation in subject and course is called an assessment.

How can we use Assessment?

1. Assessment As Learning: Assessment as learning refers to the metacognition purpose of using the feedback given by a teacher. Gathered data through observations during various activities leads to some constructive feedback. It is a student's mindset that how positively to use these suggestions. Employ the given comments as a stepping stone for achieving the path of learning can set a positive tone to the process. The true aim of an assessment is served when it is used analytically for deep learning and understanding.

2. Assessment For Learning: This is an ongoing observation by a teacher to keep eyes and ears open so the gathered data can help to modify and plan the daily lessons. Streamlining the process of learning based on day to day inspection is the modern spectrum of teaching. It can benefit individuals, for scaffolding or to brainstorm on the overlooked facts. It can work as a self-assessment for teaching practices because a teacher would know how the sessions are moving forward. It even helps to modify content, process, and product for the purpose of Differentiated Instruction.

3. Assessment Of Learning: Assessment Of Learning is the most common summative way of checking up on understanding. Once a topic/unit is taught, evaluation takes place of assessment. This confirms how much learners know and what the scope of improvement is. Assessment of learning usually has a value or grade to measure. While doing an evaluation, we can follow Bloom's Taxonomy module to examine higher-order cognitive abilities. Multiple Intelligences approach can provide numerous exit points to serve diverse learning profiles.

Types of Assessment:

1. Diagnostic assessment: Before we start with any instruction/topic. To check the background knowledge or the required basic skills for any particular unit. At times, it is even used to diagnose the special conditions i.e. Speech problems, Slow learning, Reading level, etc.

2. Formative assessment: Ongoing observation to gather data during activities to help teachers for further planning and modification.

3. Summative assessment: Evaluation at the end of the topic/unit to confirm if students have met the curriculum expectations, usually with Grade/Value/Marks.

4. Interim assessment: Standardized test at the end of the year or a test by the District or School Board to identify the gaps of learning.

Similarities between Assessment and Evaluation:

• Both are meant for checking up on the learning

• Both require tools and resources to measure

• Both have a follow-up or an action plan for improvement

• Both have a collection of data to analyze and use

Differences between Assessment and Evaluation:

• Assessment is on-going and provides constructive feedback as follow up whereas evaluation is a close point, a checkpoint.

• Assessment is non-judgemental and can be used for further planning or scaffolding, however, evaluation is judgemental and at times stressful.

• Assessment is non-graded and not standardized, evaluation is graded and at times standardized.

• An assessment provides feedback so students can identify the strength and weaknesses, whereas evaluation shows fallbacks.

• Assessment is process-oriented and evaluation is product-oriented.

Closure:

Well-designed assessment can encourage positive learning experience. The excitement to perform their best in exams boost the engagement of students. The innovative methods of assessment engross learners and excel to the max. As a teacher, I love my students being successful and feel confident while climbing the ladder from Primary to Middle school years. It has enhanced the skill of reflection, critical thinking, and self-awareness without any doubt. A famous quote by John Cowan, "Assessment is the engine which drives Student Learning".