TOPIC :-

EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME ASSESSMENT

STRATEGIES IN MATHEMATICS
OBJECTIVES
• To study the effective strategies of assessment
• To explore the rewards of using letter writing,
interviews and worksheet in assessing students in
mathematics
METHODOLOGY
• PARTICIPANTS :- 20 STUDENTS OF CLASS 6 FROM S.S.
KHALSA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, AMAR COLONY
NO. OF BOYS – 14
NO. OF GIRLS – 6
• TOOLS – WORKSHEETS
LETTERS
INTERVIEWS
• MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS ASSESSED – DATA HANDLING
AND MENSURATION
ANALYSIS

The analysis of the data is done on the basis of :-

• Understanding of the concept
• Computation ability
• Processes of doing mathematics (problem-solving, reasoning and
proof , communication and connection)
• Attitude of children toward mathematics
(source:-Helping children learn mathematics by Robert E.Reys and
Learning mathematics in elementary and middle school by W. George
Cathcart)
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPT

• WORKSHEET
12 Students out of 20 seemed to have understanding of the concept
i.e. They defined the concept , applied it in many situations,
represented it in many ways and gave new examples.
• LETTER WRITING
13 Students out of 20 seemed to have understanding of the concept.
• INTERVIEW
15 Students out of 20 seemed to have understanding of the concept.
COMPUTATION ABILITY

• Worksheets and letter writing were helpful in assessing written

computation ability
• Interviews were helpful in assessing mental computation ability.
• Data gathered through interview shows that students think of mental
computation as applying written algorithm in their heads.
PROCESSES OF DOING MATHEMATICS
• PROBLEM SOLVING
WORKSHEET:
12 Students out of 20 understood the problem, tried to choose a
strategy and solved the problem
INTERVIEWS:
15 Students out of 20 understood the problem, tried to choose a
strategy and solved the problem.
• REASONING AND PROOF
WORKSHEET : 10 students tried to justify their answers.
INTERVIEW :15 students were able to reason and justify their
answers.
• ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLs
WORKSHEET
11 students out of 20 tried to express themselves to some extent.
LETTER
15 students were able to express themselves well.
INTERVIEW
16 students were able to express themselves well.

• CONNECTIONS
ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS MATHEMATICS
• 15 students out of 20 expressed their happiness of understanding the
concept in their letters.
• One student wrote about his previous experiences with mathematics
in his letter.
 FINDINGS
• By using letter writing, students demonstrated their understanding of
mathematical concepts in a variety of ways. Those who were hesitant
to try to frame their understanding in words, used pictures and
symbols.
• Letter writing opens another line of communication with the
students. It offers the opportunity to stay in touch with even the most
quiet and reserved students.
• As students attempt to express their ideas in writing, they actually
come to understand the concept more clearly
• Sometimes letters show students’ background and previous
experiences with mathematics. Students may feel free to write about
their feelings, rather than verbalize those feelings in front of fellow
classmates.
• Interviews sometimes reveal a special interest of students in a
particular topic.
• Interviews give scope to teacher to ask variety of questions which are
important to get the holistic view of students’ understanding.
• Different students have different needs. So a combination of
assessment strategies is required to get the holistic view of students’
understanding.