assessment

It is a common misconception that grading and assessment are one

and the same. While assessment in schools involves assigning
grades, it is more than that for both the teacher and the learner. By
assessing what the student knows, how he learns and how he
compares to his peers, the teacher and student can work together to
set appropriate learning goals.
What a Student Knows
Assessing what a student knows is not as simple as it might sound. Students must express what they
know for the teacher to effectively evaluate it. Whether verbally, through writing or by some other tangible
expression, the student must demonstrate to the teacher that he knows the material. Using varied
assessment methods to reach all types of learners is most effective.
How a Student Learns
In order to devise lessons that result in student learning, the teacher must also consider how students
learn. Different types of learners require different types of lessons. For example, a student who learns
best visually will learn better from visual stimuli like photos or demonstrations where a tactile learner
needs to move around or learn by doing. Once the teacher and student have assessed how the student
best acquires knowledge, they can work to structure his working environment accordingly.
Improvement

Learning is generally assessed in increments over time to evaluate the efficacy of the teaching methods
used. Pre- and post-project assessments determine how much knowledge the student possessed going
into the learning experience and how much was actually gained by the experience. It is important to
remember that a student may fail to achieve a set standard but can still make great strides that
demonstrate learning.

Goals
Assessing what a student knows and how he learned it provides valuable information to both teacher and
student in setting achievement goals. Setting realistic and individualized academic goals is the upshot of
assessment. While comparison to peers helps establish appropriate grade level and academic
placement, it is assessment of a student's improvement that demonstrates his learning capacity. Carefully
designed assessments play a vital role in determining future strategies in both teaching and learning.