As I read into our course content and outline, I found that it’s clear that several assessment strategies are being utilized. These include many ways, such as formative assessments, peer feedback, and project-based assessments. However, there are also some strategies that are not as prominently featured.
Assessment Strategies Being Used:
Formative Assessments:
Description: With ongoing assessments that provide feedback to students during the learning process.
Implementation in Course: Our course includes regular formative assessments through team projects, draft submissions, and continuous feedback from instructors.
Learning Theory Connection: The formative assessments is align with Constructivist Learning Theory, which presents the importance of continuous feedback and reflection in the learning career.
Peer Feedback:
Description: Students provide feedback to each other based on their own works.
Implementation in Course: We have peer review activities( provide feedback for our group members), where we evaluate each other’s work and provide feedbacks for them.
Learning Theory Connection: This strategy connects with Social Constructivism, which is learning is seen as a social process and help student enhance their understanding in the project.
Project-Based(group work) Assessments:
Description: Assessments that include completing a project or creating an artifact(blueprint).
Implementation in Course: We work in Learning Pods to create projects that demonstrate our understanding of the course content.
Learning Theory Connection: This aligns with Experiential Learning Theory, which represent that learning is most effective when students engage in hands-on projects that relate to real-world scenarios.
Here are sone Assessment Strategies Not Being Used:
Summative Exams:
Description: High-stakes exams administered at the end of a course to evaluate overall learning. Foe example, midterm or final exams.
Absence in Course: Our course does not rely heavily on traditional summative exams.
Learning Theory Connection: The lack of summative exams shifts the focus from Behaviorist Learning Theory, which emphasizes observable outcomes and reinforcements.
Standardized Tests:
Description: Tests that are consistent in content and scoring and administered under uniform conditions.
Absence in Course: There is no mention of standardized tests in our course outline.
Learning Theory Connection: Standardized tests are typically aligned with Behaviorism and Cognitivism, focusing on measuring specific knowledge and cognitive skills.
Moreover, Compared to other courses I’ve taken, this course’s approach to assessment is notably different. For instance: In my macroeconomics course(ECON 203), the primary assessment strategy was summative exams, which includes midterm and final test. These exams were high-stakes and focused on the memorization and skills, aligning with Behaviorist Learning Theory. At the same time, the course did not emphasize formative feedback or peer interactions as much as our current course does.
Course with Standardized Tests: In my statistics course(ECON 345), assessments were primarily standardized tests. I had to mention that these assessments were designed to measure specific skills and knowledge in a uniform way, that relate with Cognitivist Learning Theory. Thus, here were less emphasis on project-based learning and peer feedback.
Reflection and Conclusion
According the assessment strategies that used in our course, particularly formative assessments, peer feedback, and project-based assessments, they provide a richer and more engaging learning experience for students. And also, This approach contrasts with other courses that rely heavily on summative exams and standardized tests, offering a more interactive way to assess learning.
I look forward to continuing this journey and seeing how these assessment strategies help us grow and learn together. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and reflections on your own blogs!
Recent Comments