ESOP Planning,Implementation,and Assessment, Part 6

Question 1: Explain how to use the assessment station.

Answer 1: Because the assessment station is an interactive tool, the area needs to be equipped with the appropriate equipment necessary to complete the task. If the activity is an experiment, the area needs to be ventilated and appropriate safety precautions taken, e.g., having water available and a fire extinguisher at hand. The students need to understand how to operate the instruments in a safe manner and therefore instructions should be provided both in writing and verbally. Questions should be asked and answered before any activity is started. If it is a group activity, each student needs to contribute to the assigned task. The work submitted by each student is evaluated using a rating/grading scale or a checklist. For example if the task required the use of a microscope, the checklist should have points related to its use. If it was a group project, cooperation, helpfulness and leadership skills should be noted.

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Question 2: Describe individual assessments.

Answer 2: Individual assessments focus on the progress each student made during a defined period of time (e.g., every six weeks, at the end of the semester) rather than in a team collaboration. A variety of activities such as written assignments, oral presentations, and class participation should be incorporated into the assessment in order to obtain a broader, more realistic view of the student’s understanding of the material. The assessment process should be fully explained so that the student knows what is expected. He is evaluated using one or all of the following standards: self-referenced —based on his previous level of progress criterion-referenced — a defined, school or district-wide standard norm-referenced — based on the progress of groups of students the same age or grade level Using a combination of standards instead of relying on one method presents a clearer, more accurate picture of the student’s growth.

Question 3: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using individual assessments.

Answer 3: Individual assessments are easily understood by students and parents and mesh with most school districts’ systems. Because each student is evaluated based on criteria established by state performance and/or content standards, it is easy to measure the success of department curricula. Self-referenced standards provide feedback about the student’s strengths and weaknesses. They can help motivate the student to work harder and take more responsibility for his learning. Students sometimes set personal goals and expectations. Individual assessments help them measure their success. These evaluations provide the teacher insight into any special help the student might need. Individual assessment can create and encourage a very competitive environment in which some students are unable to compete effectively. It makes it difficult to evaluate students’ ability to work with a team and judge their interaction with others both of which are important to the educational experience. They can also be also very time consuming for the teacher to complete fairly and accurately.

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