There are many reasons for conducting classroom assessments – assigning grades is an obvious one. Effective assessment allows teachers to monitor students progress toward achieving learning targets, determine whether instruction is effective, detect students strengths and weaknesses, diagnose learning problems, provide feedback, motivate and engage students, and prepare them for high-stakes tests (McMillan, 2011). Effective assessment therefore enhances teaching and learning as well as allows a means for providing information on student achievement and learning needs (McMillan, 2011). What assessment provides immediate information about how students are progressing in their learning and where they are having difficulties? Formative assessment, or assessment for learning, enhances student learning and achievement and helps teachers improve instruction (Wiliam, 2005).
The purpose of assessment in learning is to determine the learner’s level of competence by using a range of different methods. Based on the findings of the assessment and the evidence gathered during the assessment, decisions can then be made by comparing the evidence against the qualification standards. This will determine if the learner’s Competence, Knowledge & Understanding of the subject, and Skills required to carry out required tasks are of a sufficient level to meet the laid down criteria. Assessment should be used to focus on improving and reinforcing learning. It can help a learner understand how they are progressing and what they may need to do to improve their knowledge and progress further.
Unit 301 - Understanding the principles and practices of assessment Learner Name: Steven Hoyle Understand the principles and requirements of assessment 1.1 - Explain the functions of assessment in learning and development The main purpose of assessment is to establish a person`s level of knowledge or skill in a particular field. This can take place before during or after a process of learning. The feedback given during this process is helpful to the learner to improve their performance as they progress with their work. Assessment is also a useful tool for employers to see whether employees are capable of performing their given roles. Assessment should be provided in an unbiased and objective manner regardless of personal association to the learner.
The assessments are carried out formative, continuing checks throughout the learning, testing against previous marks and summative at the end of the course. This helps the learner see their own development and allows the assessor to give feedback. This allows the assessor to gain and measure the learner understanding of the subject against the outcomes set in the criteria. Throughout the assessments the assessor should ensure that their decisions are; fit for purpose, reflect the required standards and assessment criteria. Assessment decisions should be internally or externally verified, thus contributing to quality assurance and development of best practise.
Teaching Assistant Level 3 – Assignment 3 Question 1: Why is it important to observe and assess pupils’ development? It is essential to observe pupil’s as it enables the teaching assistants and the teacher to make an objective assessment on individual pupils. They are able to establish the pupils: behaviour patterns; their individual learning styles; the level of development; their existing skills; curriculum strengths and weaknesses; their current learning needs and learning achievements. In addition by observing the pupils the teaching assistant and the teacher are able to identify what the children learning needs are which will allow them to plan activities which would appropriate for the individual pupils learning needs, in order to help the pupils achieve their full potential. Furthermore if they notice that the pupils may have a learning difficulties, they are then able to ensure that the pupils is assessed by the Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) or external assessors if necessary in order to establish if they do have a learning difficulty and would then work with the class teacher and teaching assistant to ensure that they are able to support the needs of the pupil as appropriate and make suitable arrangements.
It can outline the basis for the partial development of the right learning needs and abilities and may also be constructive preliminary stage for future learning prospects There are many rationales why it’s significant to observe and assess pupils’ development. For example, to be able to recognize the broad choice of skills in all areas of pupils development. This will help teachers and teaching assistants to set out goals that need improving and building upon current skills to allow pupils to achieve their educational attainment at different levels. Moreover it is important to observe and assess in order to identify and comprehend the cycle of development in children. This understanding should be used to connect the hypothesis and theory with my own practice as a teaching assistant within the school.
• Planning around the individual needs of each learner. The starting point for assessment planning should be to consider existing evidence before planning for new assessment, for example from accreditation of prior learning and achievement or from previous assessment. • Planning a suitable time and place to meet with the learner as well as ensuring it is convenient with other affected members present at the place of work. • Addressing regulations and standards of the learner/employer/workplace needs. Benefits of using a holistic approach to assessment: • Cost and time effectiveness as more than one unit can be linked i.e.
Explain the functions of internal quality assurance in learning and development | Quality Assurance is an important requirement within the learning process to ensure that correct standards, procedures and processes are not only effective and up to date but also to ensure that learners are progressing at an acceptable rate that is relevant to their skill level. It is the responsibility of the quality department to ensure that the integrity of the qualification is maintained by continuously updating their information regarding latest versions of standards, legislation, funding requirements and external requirements, such as Ofsted.The IQA should carry out functions that will aid the assessment process, such as Standardisation; ensuring all
1.2 The difference between FORMATIVE and SUMMATIVE assessment is there are different strategies FORMATIVE assessment can be on-going; as a pupil learning takes place you can use different ways to measure. Using open ended questions, e.g. ask the pupil to explain how they are going to… Using observation we can see how a pupil is coping with what we are asking them to achieve, how they go about dealing with the task set, you can do this formally through direct observation or on a day to day basis in the classroom. Listening to a child explain how they are going to tackle the task set is a good way of understanding their methods. Listening to the answers given to questions asked is a good way to find out what they understand about a given task.
K2. High expectations of pupils are important so they can set themselves targets and achieve their full potential. This is demonstrated through setting the pupils goals within a lesson, providing support when need and through praise and encouragement. K3. It is important to be knowledgeable of the school curriculum and age related expectations of pupils.