Assessment Methods
Assessment is defined as the process through which we determine an individual’s progress and success in achieving established objectives. This is accomplished by evaluating their ability to identify problems and obstacles encountered, with the goal of enhancing the educational process and elevating its standards. Others define assessment as the method of gathering information, analyzing, and interpreting it to help the individual make judgments or decisions regarding specific challenges. Additionally, some scholars characterize assessment as the process of measuring the desired changes observed in an individual.
Several methods and types of assessment are noteworthy, including:
- Formative Assessment: This type of assessment measures the outcomes of the educational process and is one of the most commonly utilized forms. Typically, it is used to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and the extent of improvements made.
- Summative Assessment: The significance of summative assessment lies in its ability to document results. It is commonly employed to evaluate specific trainers regarding a particular topic or to assess a certain program. It is noteworthy that most studies of this nature often rely on formative assessment.
- Process Evaluation: In this type of assessment, the individual focuses on evaluating the final objectives of any project and assesses the project’s plan, including the timeline, produced outcomes, and cost estimates. Success is gauged using the degree of deviation from the expected process.
Characteristics of the Assessment Process
The assessment process possesses several characteristics, including:
Comprehensive
This means that assessment measures all aspects of the educational process and not just a single facet. It does not solely focus on the transmission of knowledge but also evaluates the attitudes and values present in society.
Continuous
The assessment process is intrinsically linked to the teaching process, with both activities moving along a parallel path. Assessment accompanies every activity that occurs within the classroom, whether initiated by the student or participatory, and cannot be confined to a specific time frame. Typically, it is ongoing.
Collaborative
Assessment involves all participants in the educational process, including teachers, parents, school administrators, and students, fostering increased cooperation among them. For educational success, it is essential for these individuals to collaborate and support one another in establishing the criteria that indicate the quality of the student’s learning.