Just like any other case when we are going to school, there are many things that adults learn through various activities such as reading, writing playing or even taking tests. But how can teachers tell we are learning well? That is when we need to do something called evaluation, this huge word that means the extent of our learning while studying.
These are different ways or types of evaluation and they allow us (teachers) to know what we have learned and where we still need work. In this article, we will take a look at these forms of evaluation and the reason why they are important for you as a student.
What is Evaluation?
First, however lofty the goal, let’s go through what evaluation is. An assessment is like how a teacher administers to find out if you learned the lesson. It’s not all about taking tests, but every single thing you do in school from classwork to homework and the way that you act. Assessment is to help the teacher understand if he or she has explained something clearly and therefore needs to recap a lesson, wants to continue as planned or is ready for the next part of learning.
Why is Evaluation Important?
Assessment is a matter that concerns everyone in the classroom. Students: Testing how well they are learning. It also lets teachers know if the lessons are working or need to be modified. In the case of parents, evaluation is to check the whereabouts of their wards as well. Once everyone is in the loop, it makes learning fun and successful for all!
Types of Evaluation
Teachers have a variety of forms that they use to evaluate your learning. They each vary in their learning effectiveness properties. I am going to discuss a few of these types:
Formative Evaluation
Formative evaluation is analogous to a feedback process that occurs during the learning experience. Think of it like building a Lego tower. The lesson here is that, when your tower starts tilting side to the other one easily through the wall grid if observed in 3d view, they might give you some code speaking how to make it more valid. This is the type of assessment that goes on daily in a classroom. A teacher might ask questions when you are learning, or be checking your homework for understanding, perhaps giving a small quiz to see how well you get it.
According to the chart, a majority of formative evaluation use practices “. — The bluffer voice… helps you by saying…formative eval => that tells you how you’re doing right away! Keep going if you are doing as expected. Here your teacher can direct you with a slight assistance before wandering too far from the right path. … it is virtually like a friend helping you play so that the two of them can win together!
Summative Evaluation
Summative evaluation occurs during or after a lesson, unit etc. It is kind of like one last review of everything you have learned over some time. When, for instance, you’ve spent weeks studying dinosaurs and your teacher gives you a test to help him determine how much of the spoonsitting-in-leaf-tea-truckload-stats any information has captured. So if you think of an end-of-term exam, a final project or even something like a big presentation.
More about summative assessment — this is important because it shows you what YOU (or the students) have learned. Completing a huge jigsaw and fathoming the total picture. This kind of assessment shows your teacher how well the class as a whole has learned, and he will plan what you are going to learn ahead.
Diagnostic Evaluation
They let you run diagnostic evaluations before you start learning something new. Think of it like this, you have decided to go on a trip but now you need to find out how. You may have to look at a map and give directions first. Likewise, diagnostic testing lets teachers know what they already have demanded and where they will need to focus their efforts when introducing new material.
For instance, if you are going to learn multiplication in mathematics soon then your teacher will test the base of addition and subtraction. This is for the teacher to see if you are multiplication ready, or need one last remedial basiccation practice! The goal is to ensure that everyone comes into the new lesson with everything they need in their toolbox.
Continuous Evaluation
The process of continuous evaluation goes on and takes place over the school year itself. It is not one test or project, but everything you do in class. Class participation, homework, conduct and even your efforts in the group projects are among such types of evaluation.
Rather, think of it as a diary that logs your learning path and practice. It proves to your educator just how far you have come as time has passed. It also shows you that learning is more than just getting one test right but about growing every single day.
Informal Evaluation
Vikery explained that the way informal evaluation works is not so much about tests, but rather what happens every day in a classroom. It is as though your teacher sees you work together with your peers on a puzzle and divulge an understanding to another learner about something. These assessments are more informal and provide the teacher with a way to look at how you learn without giving yet another test.
The informal evaluation is significant because it reflects your real-life use of what you learned. There is immense value in helping teachers see where you excel and what areas might require a bit more support — the context of daily life.
Peer Evaluation
For example: peer evaluation is when your classmates help you to learn by giving feedback. Same as if you show your drawing to a friend who tells you what they like about it and how can be improved even more. Peer evaluation most likely occurs when you are in school and work on a group project or share your assignment with another student.
Seeing this evaluation is awesome because it encourages you guys to from each other. So, it is an excellent place to learn giving and receiving Constructive Feedback — something that all of us should get used to during school days as well as in life.
Self-Evaluation
Self: To evaluate yourself and how you can always be better. Seeing yourself in the mirror and asking, ‘Did I try my level best? What did I learn from this and what do you want me to improve on next time? Some teachers might have you reflect on your work, what worked well and what was hard.
Self-assessment is beneficial because it empowers you to drive your learning. It motivates you to establish your own goals and strive towards them. It teaches you that learning never ends and there is always room to grow.
Using Evaluation to Grow
Every evaluation model serves its purpose in your learning. Formative evaluation helps keep you on the right track, summative evaluates what you have learned, diagnostic evaluation prepares for upcoming lessons and continuously monitors your progressions, informal evaluation everyday learning process of an individual while a peer gives a peek view from others’ perspective and lastly self which allows reflecting in one’s work.
Each of these evaluation types, used together can help to give a more complete snapshot as related specifically to your learning. They allow your teacher to know where you are at and how best he/she can support you, while also helping you see what areas for weaknesses lie.
Learning to be Grateful for Assessment
Assessment is not just learning how good you are using marks or tests. It is all about expanding your environment and knowledge to turn yourself into a QUALITY student. Learning then is a great adventure when you finally have some understanding of how you are doing and how to get better. If you do a project, help your buddy or simply consider what they have accomplished themselves -are wise evaluations to see if it has been up there and where it is going in the future.
Conclusion: Appreciating Assessment
Assessment in the Classroom: An Aid to Better Learning Not something to fear, but to welcome. The various kinds of evaluation from formative to summative, diagnostic and even self-evaluation are all meant to ensure that you learn in the best way possible. Therefore, when you next complete a quiz or work on a project — Or reflect upon critiques of your work remember that evaluation is like the process we all go through in life: It’s for growing and therefore learning to succeed!
