EDU431 METHODS OF TEACHING

MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE IN THE

PRIMARY/JUNIOR GRADES

Required reading F: Analysis and Reflection.

Title: Education testing: Assessment OF Learning versus Assessment FOR Learning.

CITATION: Siedlecki, Joe. Education testing: Assessment OF Learning versus Assessment FOR
Learning. (2012, May 10).

ABSTRACT:

ANALYSIS/REFLECTION:

Understanding assessment for, and of

learning is important especially when
implementing them in the classroom. Both
types of assessment can be presented
together, yet there is a difference between
the two in which teachers and students need
to recognize. This article emphasizes the
educational future as having students and
teachers working as partners. Therefore,
teachers and students should assess more
and talk less.

As mentioned in the article, assessment of

learning involves looking at assessment
information at the end of a teaching and
learning process in order to place students
understanding and knowledge against a
standard. On the other hand, assessment for
learning embeds assessment processes
throughout the teaching and learning
process which requires adjustments to
instructional strategies. To me, assessment of
learning strictly focuses on standardized tests
which may not benefit each individual
student. Moreover, assessment for learning
includes data such as anecdotal notes. The
problem with this is, what if students are
absent during an important lesson in which
you are recording notes/observing for
assessment? Thus, assessing students for
learning is ongoing which may be better than
just standardized testing.

Something that really stuck out to me in

regards to this article was how individuals
tend to focus on for and of learning when
they should really be taking into account
assessment as learning. The purpose of
conducting assessments, in my opinion, is to
see where students need assistance to
improve and to determine where they have
met the curriculum goals.

At the end of the article, it looks at

assessment as learning which is a process
where students assess themselves with the
help of their teachers and are aware of their
own learning objectives. From experience, I
have found that when students are able to
assess themselves, they do better and gain
confidence that enhances their learning
styles which allows them to gain as much
knowledge as they can. With this type of
assessment, teachers and students work as
partners. I think this is extremely important
as it builds a relationship between the two
based on a mutual respect.
In the placements I have been to since I have
started Teachers College, I have been
exposed to many forms of assessment. I have
noticed that teachers discussed the different
types of assessment methods (for, of, and as)
for learning but did not actually implement
the one they felt most beneficial, which in my
opinion is assessment as learning. I think it is
fine to assess students of and for learning,
however, it seems most relevant to include
all 3 forms of assessment. The ultimate goal
is to have your students succeed, thus,
providing multiple forms of assessment may
work best.