ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING
Tools and techniques for classroom assessment
OBSERVATION
In the
classroom, teachers are the primary assessors of students.
Teachers
also assist students in developing self-monitoring and self-assessment skills
and strategies.
The different tools
and techniques used in classroom assessment are the following;
•
Observation
•
Self-monitoring
•
Testing
•
Anecdotal
records
•
Check
lists
•
Rating
scale
Meaning of observation:
•
Observation
is one of the tools of assessment.
•
Observation
is the capacity of the individual to know the environment by the use of his
senses.
•
Observation
enables us to watch the overt behavioral changes among our students.
•
Observation
should be out of the knowledge of the person.
Definitions
of observation
•
“Observation
is nothing but keenly watching the external behaviour of persons in appropriate
situations controlled or uncontrolled.”
C. V. Good
•
“Observation
is careful and systematic viewing of a selected situation and recording then
and there, what is perceived”.
Young
Aims
of Observation:
•
To
improve our teaching.
•
To
use as an assessment tool.
•
To
get to know the students.
•
To
communicate with students.
•
To
identify the special needs of the students.
•
To
guide curriculum development.
Characteristics
of observation:
•
Observation
is selective and purposeful.
•
Observation
is systematic.
•
The
record of observation is immediately.
Example of observation:
•
You are concerned about the study habits of
a student. Throughout a day, make notes of the student’s attitude during
various class activities, times when he/she is off task, which students she
works with best, how long she can maintain attention to non-academic
activities.
•
After
collecting this context- rich information, you may have a better idea of how to
help the child improve her study habits or how to adapt your instruction to
involve her more.
Conclusion:
•
Observation is an important part of the
teaching and learning process.
•
Observation
enables teachers to understand the unique abilities and needs of each student.
•
Observation
is useful in evaluating the behaviour and personality of students in different
situations.
Procedures to be followed for Good Observation
u In
appropriate situations, observe the whole event.
u Observe
only one aspect of an individual’s behavior at a time.
u Observe,
without the knowledge of the observed and record then and there what is
observed.
u Observer
should not mix his opinions and guesses with the observed data.
u Observation
should be continuously carried out, within the time schedule.
Steps Involved in Carrying Out a Good Observation
1.
Proper planning
a.
Determining the details to be collected through observation: The behavior
aspect/ incident to be observed should be determined beforehand.
b.
The individual or group to be observed should be precisely indicated.
C. Observes
should be given clear briefing about places where observation should take place, timings, time interval,
the minimum number of times an incident/ aspect should be observed and similar other predetermined details.
D. Selecting
the method of recording the observations then and there and also the tools to
be used (Check list, Descriptive Rating
Scale, Score Cards, Forms to record tally marks etc.)
2. Executing the observation skillfully and
recording the data carefully.
3. Studying and interpreting the recorded data.
ANECDOTAL RECORDS
An
anecdotal record is a running description of actual examples of behavior of a
student as observed by teachers and the counselor.
Definition:
´ “Anecdotes are descriptive accounts of
episodes or occurrence in a daily life of the student. “
- Brown and
Martin
´ “An Anecdotal record is a
report of a significant episode in the life of a student.
- Rather
Louis
Salient features
´ The anecdotal
record contains description by the teacher of a significant accuracy or episode
in the life of the child
´ It may consist of a narrative of the incident
only.
´ It
may also record the behavior of the students.
´ Adjustment
to personal problems the interaction with other children
´ Personal
tensions, habitual mood and temper are the properties noted.
´ Many
problems arise in making and interpreting records. There is a tendency to
include the evaluation, interpretation, generalization.
Values and uses of Anecdotal record:
´ They are very helpful in understanding
the child behavior in diverse situations
´ This
records provides the data for a pupil
´ It
gives the information about a particular student personally
Limitations:
´ Anecdotal
records tend to the less reliable then other tools.
´ They
are time consuming to write.
MAINTAINING ANECDOTAL RECORD:
u Teachers
can use a three-ring binder for storing their anecdotal notes on students. At
the beginning of the binder teachers can keep:
1.
An index page with the names of all students and spaces for recording
observation dates.
2.
A second page that includes the list of common behavior and learning outcomes
to be observed. A similar sheet is may be used for each student with additional
columns to record the observation date for each point.
u These
sheets enable teachers to keep track of students who were observed, the
frequency of observations and to ensure that students were uniformly observed
for per-recorded behaviors and outcomes.
u Separate
pages can be maintained for individual students. Teachers can maintain a
standard recording template which can include :
1. Date of observation.
2. A three-columned table to record
events and behaviors (ABC format)
3. Additional space or separate page
for adding comments, recommendations and action plan.
u Using
this template, teachers can track students’ progress efficiently
Advantages of
Anecdotal Records:
1. Supplements
and validates of other structural instruments.
2.
Provision of insight into total behavioral
incidents.
3.
Needs no special training.
4.
Use of formative feedback.
5.
Economical and easy to develop.
6.
Open ended and can catch unexpected
events.
7.
Can select behaviors or events of
interest and ignore others or can sample a wide range of behaviors (different
times, environment and people)
Limitations of Anecdotal Records:
u If
carelessly recorded, the purpose will not be fulfilled.
u Only
records events of interest to the person doing the observing.
u Quality
of the record depends on the memory of the person doing the observing.
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