ASSESSMENT

When I first thought about the concept of assessment, I believed that it was a vital part of the education process to determine what the student has learnt.  Personally, I felt that assessment contained a great deal of stress, and test.  Now, my view on assessment has been altered because of the discussions held during my last Practicum class.  I am aware that times have changed and the needs of the learners have changed.  Therefore, educators need to use new strategies to assess their learners and meet their needs.

Formative assessment is employed by the teacher during the teaching period.  It can be both formal and informal assessments ranging from as simple as questioning the students while teaching or observing them during an activity conducted during a lesson. 

As a teacher, I have understood that this is applied to evaluate the needs of the students immediately.  For example what was understood or what concepts need to be reviewed.  Moreover, detailed information on the students is gathered to improve teaching instructions and student learning while it is happening.

Summative assessment is an evaluation of the students’ learning progress and achievement at the conclusion of a specific instruction period.  It is basically an assessment of learning at a particular time.

As a teacher, I have understood that this is applied traditionally at the end of a school term to determine if the long term goals of the subject were met. 

With regards to, the levels of flexibility and adaptability I believe that I will have to stand for what I believe in as an educator and meet the needs of my learners effectively and efficiently.  As a teacher I will have to engage more in assessment for learning and less in assessment of learning to address the immediate needs of my learners and reflect critically on my practice for the benefit of my learners.

My strategies may need to change because I will want to encourage more questioning and class discussions during my lessons.  I may also want to include assignments that are interesting and exciting for the learners such as drawing or even singing.

The immediate challenges that I can identify are concerns of parents, administrators, colleagues and supervisors.  These concerned parties may feel as though that I am not offering the learners quality education because it is not what they are accustomed to.  

The road ahead is not going to be well paved when I consider past and present experiences with administrators, as well as the contemporary education system.

If I had to resolve some of these issues, I would suggest to the leaders in the Ministry of Education to review the National Curriculum to accommodate the immediate needs of learners and allow for assessment for learning to be incorporated fully into the schools’ curriculum.