Blog #4

Assessment Types

Selected Response:

This form of assessment is realistically more centered around a yes/no or true/false subject type. Whether that be math, history, etc., it is typically more suited for a single answer response. The pros to this type of assessment includes its ability to capture knowledge mastery and determine patterns in reasoning. It shows the difference between right vs. wrong and portrays whether or not the students can recall/ reach the proper answer. On the flip side, this assessment type carries cons in regards to the more creative side of things. Teachers cannot assess creative ability on a yes/no scale as it limits ideas and isn't structured around every performance type. In terms of product assessment, it can only determine the accuracy of the result, not the overall quality of the finished product. Another con is the testing anxiety that follows this type of assessment. When students only see the finished product rather than the overall process, students can be misjudged by the panic of having to choose the right answer (rather than showing their thinking that went along with it). Although selected response may be ideal for some subjects, it is not a suitable form of assessment for all. 

Extended Written Response:

This assessment type is pretty self explanatory as it is an in depth, written response to one or more questions/ prompts. This happens to be a very ideal form of assessment as it not only shows the students answer, but also shows how they got there. Some pros include: showing mastery through answer and explanation, a look into reasoning proficiency, and written product creations. A written response is long enough to see the students thinking while also providing a clear answer to the question or prompt. On the other hand, some cons are its limitations with communication and other product types. A written response would struggle to assess personal communication as it is a silent category of testing. It also would only pertain to the written side of assessment which leaves out various product types such as art and technology. If incorporated in the right scenario, this could be a beneficial assessment type to grasp students level of understanding. 

Performance Assessment:

This assessment is a great way to assess students ability to perform a task or show a completed product. This is a great match for reasoning as it can show the critical thinking behind each student's process as we observe and analyze their ideas. It also gives teachers a way to assess all of the different aspects of the product as we see the entirety of what they are completing. I feel like this is a less stressful type of testing for students because it isn't a sit down test but instead an evaluation of their ability to complete a task. On the contrary, assessing mastery would be very time consuming using this method as there are so many different types of content and ability to assess. Performance is definitely more suitable to a single task rather than an entire unit or concept. I would say this assessment type leans more towards creative ability than right vs. wrong. However, I would say this is my personal favorite assessment method in regards to creativity as it's kid friendly and great for younger ages. 

Personal Communication:

This assessment method is an awesome source for learning new languages, communicating ideas, asking questions, or showing oral language proficiency. It allows the teacher to see how students communicate, their think aloud process, or even what they've learned in regards to a new language. I think this is an awesome way to not only grasp where students are at, but also work on social and communication skills as students have to practice orally presenting their thinking. On the flip side, there are a few cons as this a very subject/ scenario specific form of testing. When determining mastery, it is a time consuming option like the performance assessment. As for products, it is all around not a good match as it isn't meant to be a project of any sort. This method is slightly limited but can be very effective if incorporated into the proper lesson. 

Assessment in my Lesson Plan:

In regards to my own lesson, I think choosing the proper assessment type is vital to capturing "my students" understanding of the learning target. In order to best understand their thinking or process, I need some sort of final product to show their understanding. Since I chose a writing standard and learning target to focus on, it seems only fitting that my assessment be an extended written response. I think this is great in terms of a final product (term paper) or even something in between like a list of written out ideas, evidence, and explanation. Other assessment types could work but I think a written response would be the most effective for this particular lesson.