This week's readings were all about assessment in the H.D.Brown book. I noticed at the beginning of the chapter, H.D.Brown made reference to the fact that assessments and tests can be fun and that statement made me want to read even more about the subject that I knew so little about.
The chapter first differentiated between norm-referenced testing and criterion referenced testing. This is the way I understood the two terms:
Norm-referenced testing: The results of a student's particular assessment, evaluation, or test is placed on a scale in comparison with the other students' scores. The purpose of this test is to place students on a mathematical continuum for example, Joe got 90/100 as a numerical score and 90% is his placement among the other students, or he placed higher than 90% of the students. If the students have been differentiated and separated with scores than the goal of the assessment has been met.
Criterion-referenced tests: This test is centered on feedback from the teacher on whether or not the criteria for a particular course or lesson has been met. More responsibility is placed on the teacher to deliver meaningful feedback to each student.
I also took note of the strategies for before-,during-, and after-test strategies. It seems that all the steps are very important to facilitate and prepare students for success, however, the before-testing strategies are vital for students. I think it is important to consider that many students have anxiety when it comes to test taking and each teacher should take this into consideration.
It is also important to be very encouraging for the students and let them know that we, as teachers, have confidence in their abilities as students.
Finally, washback is very important and extensive and relevant feedback from the teacher is the important factor in washback. As a future teacher I plan to provide ample opportunity for my students to discuss their tests or assessments and I can then give them ideas on how to improve in some areas. I will also commend the students on the concepts that they did well. I think praise can go a long way with students also.
The cartoon below expresses how I think some of my first days of teaching in an elementary school. I think I will experience some things that none of my professors can prepare me for.
I totally agree with you on the issue of washback, and think feedback after testing is very important in helping the students learn from what they did wrong.
ReplyDeleteI also like the cartoon picture and feel greatly identified with what is described, since even though i've never actually taught, i'm pretty sure i will encounter things that no textbooks have ever mentioned in my future teaching. In my opinion, as novice teachers, what we can and should do while we're still in school is to get ourseleves be as well-prepared as possible in terms of knowledge, skills, and mental strength. This is obviously not easy, and is also one of the things that scares me the most when i imagine myself being a "real" teacher in the future. Still, believing that experience and wisdom come with practice brings me back on track,and i think it's helpful for novice teachers to keep that in mind...