To counteract with what I previously thought: assessment is not limited to product nor process. One of the biggest takeaways in this course was the concept of triangulation. Assessment can be made in three different ways: conversation, observations, and products. I learned that assessment is as much of an ongoing process than it is summative. After having completed the three-week block, I was able to assess through anecdotal notes, descriptive feedback, and even a final unit assessment. This idea is also related to assessment for learning, as learning, and of learning. Assessment can be made to improve student learning, to have students self-monitor their progress, and to judge the depth of their learning based on the evidence gathered.
Another idea that I found important was student involvement. As represented in this course where we are essentially involved in a lot of our assessment, students can be very involved with their assessments if we let them. I learned multiple times this term that there are many ways to involve students in assessment. It could be through something like “two stars, one wish” where they peer assess. Or, it could be during a co-construction of success criterias.
Setting goals is too important not to practice. Another takeaway I got from this course was to begin with the end in mind. I set a personal assessment goal prior to entering the field, and it was advantageous to have it while planning the unit. It gave me direction, and I knew what I wanted accomplished. This is something students must absorb when it comes to assessment and their learning in general. If students are more involved in their assessment and they are setting and completing SMART goals, then we have set them up to succeed in life.
It is important to be aware and active in researching any annual reports or plans from the provincial ministry, federal, and even global. An unfortunate situation that is happening in the province now has certainly affected the three-week block. I learned that it is crucial to be on top of news especially where it concerns us and the students. When we looked at the PCAP and PISA results, I thought that I was sorely heedless of the emerging trends in education and even the disparities between countries where it relates to education.
It also occurred to me that one of the most invaluable resources we have is each other. We looked at several mentions in Anne Davies’ Making Classroom Assessment Work that it is suggested that we should form groups and share our practices as professionals. One of the first things we did and continuously did each week was to congregate in learning circles; we shared our thoughts and experiences with each other. I also saw this through the dialogue and connections assignment; I had the pleasure of hearing and learning from two different professionals in the field. In fact, I brought some of their advice with me when I entered the three-week block.