How can we monitor effective student learning gains? (Hint: it's NOT through standardized testing!)
In a recent article from edutopia has the answer; formative assessment. Defined by Bill Younglove as "the frequent, interactive checking of student progress and understanding in order to identify learning needs as adjust teaching appropriately," formative assessment tracks student understanding so educators and students are aware of their learning strengths and weaknesses.
Formative assessments can be administered in your classroom in the form of a quiz or as activities making the assessments alternative (AFA). The National Capital Language Resource Center recommends walking students through the rubrics and discuss expectations when you introduce the assignments along with teaching students to understand self-evaluation along the way.
Integrating assessments into your learning space offers students the ability to monitoring their understanding and how to continue their learning habits.
Click here to read the full article and for 53 ways to check for understanding.
