Unit 305 Assessment

Task A: Information sheet

a) Describe SIX assessment methods, with examples of when and how

they could be used. (ref. 1.2)

Method of How it can be used When it can be used

Assessment
Portfolios To track Progress of As a completion to the
learners over time learning process
Assignment

Written Examination

Dissertation

Project

Oral Examination

b) Compare the strengths and limitations of FOUR methods (ref. 1.3)

Method of Strengths Limitations

Assessment
Assignment

Project
Dissertation
c) Explain how TWO of the assessment methods can be adapted to
meet individual learner needs. (ref. 1.4)

Method of Learner need Adaptation

Assessment

d) Identify of sources of information that should be made available to

those involved in the assessment process:

Information for Learners Information for Other

Professionals

e) Why does an organisation need to keep records? (ref. 4.2)

It is imperative that organisations keep records to establish and recognise
when and how a learner and/or a tutor is progressing. Without recording
successes or faults it is extremely difficult to rectify a problem or give credit
when it is due for a particular success. Recording is an ideal source of
monitoring learner and tutor progress. It enables, if necessary, quick and
concise intervention if there happens to be any gaps in the learning process
and this in turn, means that plans for the next steps of learning can be put in
place and additional support can be given if it is required.

>>>
Task B: Hand-out

a) Briefly explain the key features for each of the following types of
assessment:

• Initial assessment
>>> Initial assessment is key in understanding and identifying the needs of the
learners. Initial assessment ultimately provides the information that is needed
to determine the starting point of the learning process.
Initial assessments have the advantage of determining the individual learning
needs of each student, which in turn, provides the necessary information that
allows the teacher/tutor to plan sessions and activities. On the other hand,
initial assessment can be somewhat unreliable due to the learner being
anxious of being assessed from the very start of or before the learning takes
place

• Formative assessment
>>> Formative assessments are a means through with learners are monitored
during the learning process. Feedback can then be used to identify where
students are struggling and the instructors can adjust their teaching methods if
necessary. Formative assessments have the advantage of providing a minimal
amount of pressure on the learners because they are not graded and
ultimately serve as practice for the students to determine how much
knowledge they have retained so far. This means the learners will be less
anxious because they understand this is not a final assessment. The
disadvantage this has is that learners may not take these assessments seriously
and thus put minimal effort into them. This would make the results unreliable
and the tutor may misunderstand the true needs of the learners.

• Summative assessment (ref. 1.1)

>>> Summative assessments occur at the end of a unit or course to measure
the level of performance and the overall learning achievements of the learner.
Summative assessments have the advantage of giving particular insight to the
teacher and teaching methods used. They allow overall measurement of
knowledge retention. The disadvantages of summative assessment are that
sometimes, unnecessary pressure is put on the students to perform. Some
students do not work well under pressure and thus are unable to perform to
best of their abilities.

b) Briefly explain the importance of involving learners and others in

the assessment process (ref. 2.1)

>>> It is important to involve learners and sometimes others in the assessment

process to ensure inclusivity. When taking into consideration the needs of the
learners you may come to find that a particular learner has, for example, a
sight impediment. For this learner to be successful it will be of paramount
importance that the learner has a scribe to help during the assessments.
Without which, this learner would be at an extreme disadvantage to their
peers

c) Explain the role of the following in the assessment process

• Self-assessment
>>> Self- assessment is a process through which assignments and work is
graded by those who did the work in question based on assessment criteria set
by the tutor/teacher. Self-assesments create a sense of ownership over the
work

• Peer-assessment (ref. 2.2)

>>> Peer-assessment is a process through which assignments and work is
graded and marked by the students themselves based on assessment criteria
set by the tutor/ teacher.

d) Describe six features of constructive feedback (ref. 3.1)

>>>

e) Explain how constructive feedback contributes to the assessment

process (ref. 3.2)

>>> Constructive feedback is highly important because it is necessary for the

learners to know how well they are doing or where they might be going wrong.
Constructive feedback contributes to the assessment process in that it enables
the learner to understand and identify how their learning is progressing and if
not progressing, then they are able to see where there is room for
improvement.

f) Explain how to give constructive feedback to learners following

assessment (ref. 3.3)

>>> It is important for the teacher or tutor to help the learner recognise their
mistakes and gain the ability to recognise them for future reference. One way
of doing this is through self-assessment, this is intended to encourage the
learner to analyse their work and want to make improvements. Revisiting the
topic with the learner is also beneficial. By using leading questions, it is the
learner who finds the solution and makes improvements as opposed to the
tutor.

g) Explain how a teacher or trainer uses records of assessment to help

learners to progress (ref. 4.1)
>>> A teacher or trainer can use records of assessment to highlight the
strengths and weaknesses of each learner. These records hold valuable
information. If a learner is underachieving and needs particular help or
additional support the teacher is able to provide those facilities. On the other
hand, if learners have high success rates then the teacher will be made aware
through the records of assessment and will know that the methods used have
been successful.