From my vastly unique elementary school to my current experience teaching robotics and social studies, I'm eager to share my thoughts on assessments in education.
For starters, I agree with David. I feel I am constantly assessing each student's progress, my class' growth, or reflecting on my own standards as an educator. I do love assessments as they are highly effective tools in education, however, they need to be utilized effectively. Do I know how to use assessments properly? Do my coworkers share a common understanding and view of assessments? Here are 3 things I believe about assessments as an educator in the 21st century.
Standardized testing and its victims
Teachers teaching to the test, students losing sleep and appetite over tests, and tests lacking true demonstration of understanding are just a few reasons I am not a fan of state-mandated standardized tests. As 21st century learners and educators, we can create and brainstorm more effective opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of material. Assessing focuses on evaluating or reviewing content and, as educators, it is our job to make sure assessments do just that.
Project based learning
As a kid, my K-8 school emphasized and assessed using Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence (MI). Second to eighth grade I chose my type of "test" based on my learning styles, preferences, and needs. More often than not I identified as a bodily-kinesthetic learner and usually performed or created a physical model to present my understanding of the lesson or unit. The MI Theory recently faded out as project-based learning took over in the assessment department. Teachers were impressed with the high levels of engagement and passion students demonstrated presenting their knowledge through this approach.
With more students developing and demonstrating testing anxiety, educators need to utilize other forms of assessment to truly track to progress, growth, and understanding of student knowledge.
Powerful tool for everyone
Many acknowledge assessments as a tool for districts and teachers, but not many students or parents see assessments beneficial for themselves. Students should be eager to track their growth, celebrate their understanding, and identify their strengths and weaknesses. However, they're more often than not blinded by the pressure behind testing. Some parents waive their students from the requirement to test in public schools. Why? Don't they want to see the progress their child has made? Why can't they present state-mandated tests as an opportunity to simply show-what-you-know? We need to analyze the purpose of tests and redirect the focus to assess our students solely for the purpose of growth.
We need to remember tests can show growth or areas for growth. BrainPop, Quizzizz, jeopardy, gamification, and many other alternative assessments are taking over classrooms around the world as teachers learn positive, fun, and engaging alternatives to assessing student knowledge. This might be intimidating at first, but use this powerful tool of assessing to transform the classroom experience.
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