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Ways to Assess Learning

Ways to Assess Learning



There are many different methods and approaches to assessment. Consider using a few different assessment methods to gather the most detailed picture of the learner’s unique needs and goals.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing an assessment method:

  • What useful information do we gain from this assessment?
  • Will this assessment tell me what I need to know to help the learner?
  • Are the assessment goals and content clear to both me and the learner?
  • What will we do with the information?
  • How will this help the learner?

Here are some common characteristics of different kinds of assessment:

Formal Assessment

  • Standardized
  • Scored
  • Compared with other learners or scores
  • Summarizes expertise
  • Often part of a system beyond the classroom

CALPs may administer or refer learners for formal assessments. Learners are referred to accredited assessors for language assessment for Canadian citizenship or for entrance to a post-secondary program, for example. There are also some formal assessment tools used for workplace skill training programs.

Informal Assessment

  • Not standardized
  • No scores
  • No comparisons to other learners or scores
  • Often based on observation or interviews
  • Not part of a system beyond the classroom

Most of the assessment done in CALP programs is informal, such as using observation, informal discussion or collecting examples of learner’s work.

Formative Assessment

  • Used to check progress at points in the learning
  • Used to see how learning is “forming”
  • Used to inform teaching practice

What does formative assessment do?

  • Involves learners in their own learning
  • Communicates clear, specific learning goals
  • Identifies the learner's current knowledge/skills and the necessary steps for reaching the desired goals
  • Helps to inform the learning plan
  • Helps learners monitor and celebrate their own progress

Formative assessment gives us specific information about what to teach and the best approach to use with each unique learner.

3 Ways to Assess a Learner

Using different methods and forms of assessment can give us specific information about a learner, their progress and their learning readiness.

Here is a selection of assessment methods to explore (adapted from Learner-Centred Intake and Assessment. 2008.):

  • interviews/informal discussions
  • interest surveys
  • learning styles inventories
  • checklists
  • authentic demonstrations of skills
  • formal & informal assessments
  • portfolios
  • samples from past learning experiences

Conversation

Sitting down with a learner at different points throughout their time with a Community Adult Learning Program to have a simple conversation can reveal a lot. During these conversations you can find out about the learner's strengths, challenges, past experiences and hopes for the future.

Try asking yourself some of the following questions:

  • Is what we are doing working?
  • Is the learner responsive and engaged?
  • Does the learner feel more confident?
  • If something isn’t working well, what changes can we make? What would make it better?

Try asking the learner some of the following questions:

  • Is what we are doing working?
  • Do you feel like you have improved?
  • How has the learning helped you in your everyday life?
  • How can we make your learning better?

Goal-Setting

Some learners will have clearly defined goals in mind so using the conversation to talk about their goals is an opportunity to discuss the information, process and/or requirements needed to achieve that goal. Other learners may have difficulty deciding what their learning goals might be, in which case it may take several conversations with the learner. Here is a tool that can help you with a goal-setting conversation. Some of the questions included are great to ask the learner verbally, while others might be better to reflect on while listening to the learner and taking note of what you observed.

Observation

In order to tell if a learner has mastered a particular skill, you can simply watch and listen. You may see a learner demonstrate a new skill in an everyday situation. Some examples could include:

  • overhearing an ELL learner asking yes/no questions in a conversation with a classmate
  • seeing a learner in a Basic Computers program open a document or check email before the class begins
  • observing a learner reading a flyer on your CALP bulletin board
  • a learner sharing how they filled out a registration form for their child’s school

This will show where they're making progress toward their goal, or where they may need more practice or support.

Using a Tool

There are a large number of assessment tools that can be used to measure a learner's skills, knowledge or competencies. An assessment tool could be a formal online or pen and paper assessment, or it could be done in a more informal way, such as a guided discussion with the learner. In the next section of this workshop, we will look more closely at choosing and using appropriate assessment tools.

Tips and Tricks

  • Make use of everyday tasks and skills in the learner's life, as a means of assessing their skill development.