Online Assessment Practice

Assessment is an essential component of what we do as teachers. We collect student data, monitor student learning, and adjust our teaching accordingly. Assessments serve different purposes. (Cliquez ici pour la version en français.)

Assessment for Learning

In this form of assessment, ongoing feedback is provided to both the teacher and the student. Such feedback helps students target their strengths and weaknesses and allows them to develop their competencies. As well, this practice allows teachers to gather information regarding their students’ conceptual understanding and/or competency development. This information in turn allows teachers to plan the next steps. This is usually referred to as Assessment for Learning or Formative Assessment.

Assessment of Learning

We also assess the learning. The goal of Assessment of Learning is to evaluate student learning at the end of a unit and/or against a particular standard. It is at this point that we determine how much our students have learned and/or developed their competencies.

When the teaching and learning take place online, the above-mentioned forms of assessment remain the same. Assessment should be used to inform your teaching and allow students to take ownership of their learning. Also, it must be taken account of when placing a judgement on student competency development. Thus, assessment should be an integral part of your teaching plan. In your planning, special consideration must be placed on relevant assessment techniques and their modalities.