Standard 7 - Assessment – The competent teacher understands and uses appropriate formative and summative assessments for determining student needs, monitoring student progress, measuring student growth, and evaluating student outcomes. The teacher makes decisions driven by data about curricular and instructional effectiveness and adjusts practices to meet the needs of each student.
Using online tools to gather information is a quick way to gain an understanding of students knowledge of the day. By using google forms we can assess quickly who is struggling and who is ready to move forward or be challenged. Teachers can use their assessments to gather information on students to guide learning instructions in whole group as well as small group.
Standard-based Exit tickets can also be used to conclude that students are meeting all state standards. Expressing their knowledge and seeing what needs will need to be met in order to continue. Using standard-based exit tickets that correlate with a standard based report cards helps guide the completion and understanding of work throughout the year.
Checklists also help students to see where they need to improve or change/add to their work. Having students use a checklist or rubric allows students to know the information that is being assessed. It helps the students to prevent mistakes and gives them a sense of control. By using a rubric or checklist the students receive a stress-free no surprise assignment where the outcome is based on the students ability to evaluate and check their work upon completion.
Assessment of knowledge is not always in the form of a rubric or online test. Some assessments may be seen through a variety of activities. We can often assess students by their ability to correctly complete a creative activity. This provides the students with a hands-on experience, and avoids testing stress, while also allowing students who need extra help to be guided through an activity. Creativity can drive learning for students and can be assessed on their competence to correctly complete an assignment to show understanding.