Overview and Purpose of Assessment

By gaining an understanding of the purpose, users, and uses of assessments, teachers can become clearer about how to construct better assessments.

Lesson Outcomes

  • Understand the clear purposes of assessment by clarifying:
    • Why assess?
    • Who will use the results of assessment?
    • How will the assessment data be used to improve teaching and learning?

Recommended Prerequisites

None

Reflective Questions

  • What is the difference between assessment OF learning and assessment FOR learning?
  • What assessments are we currently doing?
  • Who are the users of assessment results?
  • For assessment instruments to have their greatest leverage, what function should they have?