Possible answers: Seen examination
Open book examination
Observations
Posters
Projects
Portfolio
(10 min) Say that all of them can have quite a different purpose and focus, and teachers have to take this into consideration. Ask the whole group the following questions:
1. When would you use each type of assessment from the list on the board? Why? 2. What types of assessment can offer students some feedback? 3. What types of assessment can be considered as a final check? Suggested answers: Answer 1 Seen examination mid semester, end semester
Open book examination mid semester, end semester
Students’ observations start semester, mid semester
Posters mid semester, end semester
Projects start semester, mid semester
Portfolio over semester
Answer 2 and 3 It will depend on the subject and teacher’s view on the tasks. Posters, projects and portfolios look more process-oriented and developmental than exams which are usually used as final types of assessment. Students are usually given detailed feedback on interim tasks. Refer to the difference between progress and achievement types of assessment and make the point that usually progress–oriented types of assessment give students an opportunity to improve their performance on the basis of the feedback they receive. Such types of assessment are called formative assessment. Students are given feedback and they can monitor their progress. Formative types of assessment are stepping
stones in learning. Summative assessment types summarise students’ skills and knowledge gained during a certain period of study. Often, students are only given a grade. It is usually a matter for the teacher to decide whether or not to give feedback on an exam.
It should be mentioned that it is up to the teacher to decide which type of assessment will best serve which particular purpose.
☺☺☺ (10 min) Ask participants to work in 4 groups. Assign one type of assessment to each group. Tell groups to imagine that they will have to use one of the assessment types in their teaching. Ask them to think how they can incorporate this type of assessment into their system of assessment (they do not need to think of a task instruction in great details, only a brief idea). Ask groups to fill in the following proforma in handout 3:
