Practical applications for classroom-based assessments

1. Practical Applications to
get the Most out of
Classroom-Based
Assessments
Linda Thornton

2. 2
Practical Applications
• Assess more than single skills
• Use formative assessments
• Design multimodal assessments

3. Assess more than single
skills
• Traditional assessments often fail to measure deeper
understanding and are often closely aligned with state
assessments and curriculum plans.
• Teachers should move beyond confines of curriculum
guides to develop assessments of a wide range of skills
and strategies.
• Assessments should include open-ended formats that
highlight how students APPLY the skills and strategies
they have learned.
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4. Use Formative Assessments
• Formative assessments provide information about
student learning during instruction.
• Criteria for developing credible assessments:
* determine what should be measured
* how is should be measured
* how frequently it should be measured
* what adjustments will be made to instruction
• Involve students in the formative assessment process
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5. Design Multimodal
Assessments
• Assessments should represent the multimodal ways
students interact with learning activities.
• Integration of technology into the curriculum and
students’ use of technology often results in positive
student learning and assessment outcomes.
• Multimodal assessments are also effective for assessing
ELL students.
• Include opportunities that allow students to represent
their knowledge using multiple modes (drawings, graphic
organizers, pictures, or computer software).
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6. Reference
Risko, V. J., & Walker-Dalhouse, D. (2010). Making the
Most of Assessments to Inform Instruction. Reading
Teacher, 63(5), 420-422. DOI:10.1598/RT.63.5.7
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