Ptlls_Assgn_1.7

PTLLS Assignment 1 – Task 7 Task 4 – State the different assessment methods available and explain the ones you would use for your subject area, including reference to initial assessment. State the type of assessment records you would complete and why. Assessment is an important part of the teaching cycle as it helps the tutor to measure the effectiveness of delivery and also the knowledge or skills retention of the student. There are many ways in which assessment can be carried out including:- • Problem Solving • Essay Writing • Practical Exercises • Oral Tests • Observation and Discussion • Open Book Text • Short Answer Items • Presentations • Peer Group Critiques • Assignments At the beginning of the teaching process a tutor may want to carry out an initial assessment, this will help in understanding the current ability of a potential student, it may highlight weak areas of knowledge or special needs of a particular student and will give a tutor valuable insight into the overall abilities of a group and any specific development or support needs. My particular subject area is generally very practical in style and therefore not all assessment methods would be suitable. In a practical situation the following assessment methods would be preferred:- • Problem Solving • Practical Exercises • Observation and Discussion • Presentations Each of these methods will be discussed on their own merit. 1 – Problem Solving This presents a very honest way of understanding the ability of a student or group of students and the knowledge and understanding gained. For example asking a student to think of ways to overcome perceived obstacles during the task will often cause the real extent of their ability to be evident and therefore effectively assessed. Assessment can take the form of individual work sheets, observation sheets and feedback forms to help in the assessment process and keeping a record of progress. 2- Practical Exercises This is a great way to assess the application of knowledge for a given practical situation. For instance, a student may have been taught about the correct health and safety considerations when planning and building a fence however it is only when the student is assessed in this situation that their actual ability and knowledge can be identified and assessed. This can be done by straightforward visual observation and direct feedback or using a specific observation sheet that can be kept on file for future reference to help track the students growth in understanding and application. Overcoming specific problems can help the student develop and expand their range of thinking in practical ways. 3 - Observations and Discussion This is closely linked with the previous style of assessment (Problem Solving) but may be more specific in style with a particular task identified and then carried out by each student followed by discussion either on a one to one basis with their tutor or within the group. Written records can be kept with a view to tracking the student’s progress. 4 – Presentations Asking students to research and present a given task will often be helpful in gaining an understanding of their ability to communicate information and also comprehend instructions. The presentation could be given in various ways using IT media, paper based or verbal. Any notes, handouts or computer files can be retained as evidence of the student’s ability and knowledge, this can be re-visited as a demonstration of a students growing ability when compared with later presentations or assessments. Summary In whatever form assessment takes it is a valuable tool in helping a tutor to develop and understand the needs of an individual or group of students.