TOOLS AN DTECHNIQUES FOR CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING

UNIT III: TOOLS AN DTECHNIQUES FOR CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT

Anecdotal records

Anecdotal records are the informal teacher observation reports of student behaviours, skills and attitudes as they relate to the outcomes in the program of studies. It contains descriptions of incidents or events that are important to the person observing. Anecdotal records are short, objective and as accurate as possible. Anecdotal record includes only personal adjustment or social functioning of the child.

Characteristics

Simple reports of behaviour

Results of direct observation

Accurate and  specific

Records typical or unusual behaviors

Each record should contain a record of single incident

The interpretations and recommended action should be noted separately from the description.

Purpose

The teacher able to understand pupil in realistic manner.

It provides an opportunity for healthy pupil-teacher relationship

To furnish the multiplicity of evidence for good cumulative record

To understand individual’s basic personality pattern and his reactions in different situations.

Items in anecdotal records

The first part of an anecdotal record should be factual, simple and clear.it may include name of the student, date, time and brief report of what happened. The second part may include additional comments, analysis and conclusions based on interpretations and judgements.

Advantages

Helpful in understanding the child’s behaviour in diverse situations

Need no special training

Use of formative feedback

Economical and easy to develop

Open ended and can catch unexpected events

A new teacher may use these records and acquaint himself with the students.

Disadvantages

Time consuming

Difficulty in scoring

Limited application

Lack of standardization

Only records events of interest to the person doing the observing

If carelessly recorded, the purpose will not be fulfilled.

Checklists

Checklist is a selected list of words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs following which an observer records a check mark to denote a presence or absence of whatever is being observed. It is a list of response categories that respondents check if appropriate. Checklists only indicate if a student can accomplish the listed objectives.

Format of checklist

Checklists are often presented as lists with small checkboxes down the left/right side of the page.

A small tick or checkmark is drawn in the box after item has been completed.

Characteristics

•Usually offer yes/no question format

•Nothing is included about the quality of performance

Advantages

Students can measure their own behaviour with the help of checklist

Easy and simple to use and frame the tools

Wanted and unwanted behaviors can be included.

Disadvantages

Only the presence or absence of the ability can be tested.

Yes/no type judgement can only be given

Time consuming

Checklist loses details of the event

Rating scale

Rating means judgement of one person by another.it is a method by which a systematize the expression of opinion concerning a trait. The ratings are done by parents,teachers,a board of interviewers and judges and by the self as well. In rating scale, an observer is asked to judge something and put a numerical value or rating to his judgement. Usually the degrees are indicated by numbers, 1 to 3, 1 to 5,or 1 to 7,comprising three point,five point or seven point scale

Example:

1: How good was the performance?

Excellent

Very good

Good

Average

Poor

Desirable qualities of rating scales

Clarity

Variety

Simple

Relevance

Objectivity

Useful

Uniqueness

Types of rating scale

Numerical rating scale

This is one of the simplest type of rating scale. The rate simply marks a number that indicate the extent to which a characteristic or trait is present. 

Descriptive rating scale

Provide for each trait a list of descriptive phrases from which the rater selects the one most applicable item being rated, selected usually by means of a check mark

Graphic rating scale

In this scale the performance is printed horizontally at various points from lowest to highest.

Advantages

It is simple and less expensive in terms of time and labour.

Recording qualitative and quantitative judgements about observed performance

It tend to be very adaptable and flexible

It helps in supplementing other sources of understanding about the child as anecdotal and cumulative records.

Helpful in finding out students’ needs

Helpful in writing reports to parents

Disadvantages

Time consuming

Personal bias influencing the results

Some characteristics are more difficult to rate