Multiple Methods of Assessment

Informal Checks for Understanding

nHand Signals (thumbs up, thumbs down, wave hand)
nIndex Card Summaries (“Summarize a big idea you got from this lesson”)
nIndex Card Questions (“State one thing you don’t understand about...”)
nQuestion Box (a place to leave questions about concepts & processes)
nMisconception Checks (State a common misconception & ask if they agree/disagree—why or why not?)
nObservations
nInterviews, Dialogues, Open-Ended Questions
nDaily journal entries

Traditional Assessment

nMultiple Choice – potentially useful for baseline measurement of content knowledge & vocabulary
nTrue-False – More useful to assess attitudes & applications of ideas versus content/vocabulary
nMatching – More responses that list items increases likelihood of higher level thinking
nCompletion/Short Answers – Reduces guesswork but need careful wording to avoid ambiguous answers

Essays/Prompts

nUseful in the assessment of problem-solving skills and complex interrelationships between concepts and processes
nProvides opportunities for students to develop written communication skills
nShortcomings include the subjective nature of essay questions (no single right/wrong answer) and English Language learner variabilities
nImportant to provide expectations and use some kind of grading rubric

Authentic Assessment

nPerformance-based
nmay be used to assess correct answers and the processes used to get there
nusually involves use of concrete materials
nmay include models, scientific illustrations & diagrams, experiments, and other contextualized demonstrations
nProjects – students investigate authentic questions and use processes of investigation & experimentation to find solutions
nInterviews & Student Journals – a good way to identify thinking & problem-solving abilities, misconceptions, and communication skills
nPortfolios – a collection of student work over time that provides evidence and reflections demonstrating knowledge, abilities & understanding
nGraphic Organizers – such as concept maps & Venn diagrams – help assess students’ grasp of the interrelationship among concepts