Definition
Classroom
Assessment
Techniques consist
of a variety of
feedback and
discussion methods
that gauge the
quality of the
learning process.
Basic Elements
Classroom
Assessment
Techniques (CATs),
also known as
Classroom Research
or Action Research,
are a series of
tools and practices
designed to give
teachers accurate
information about
the quality of
student learning.
Information gathered
isn't used for
grading or teacher
evaluation. Instead,
it's used to
facilitate dialogue
between students and
teacher on the
quality of the
learning process,
and how to improve
it. As authors
Patricia Cross and
Thomas Angelo state
in their book
Classroom Assessment
Techniques,
"Teaching without
learning is just
talking." CATs
provide both
teachers and
students with "in
process" information
on how well students
are learning what
the curriculum
intends.
The three basic
questions CATs ask
are:
- What are the
essential skills
and knowledge I am
trying to teach?
- How can I find
out whether
students are
learning them?
- How can I help
students learn
better?
The classroom
assessment process
assumes that
students need to
receive feedback
early and often,
that they need to
evaluate the quality
of their own
learning, and that
they can help the
teacher improve the
strength of
instruction.
The basic steps
in the classroom
assessment process
are:
- Choose a
learning goal to
assess
- Choose an
assessment
technique
- Apply the
technique
- Analyze the
data and share the
results with
students
- Respond to the
data
CATs provide
teachers with a
"menu" of evaluation
tools that:
- Check for
student background
knowledge
- Identify areas
of confusion
- Enable
students to
self-assess their
learning level
- Determine
students' learning
styles
- Target and
build specific
skills
Reading
Classroom
Assessment
Techniques, by
K. Patricia Cross
and Thomas Angelo.
The content on this page was written
by On Purpose Associates in
http://www.funderstanding.com/classroom_assessment.cfm.
