Module 5a Reflection

 This module has helped me think about student-centered assessment in the following ways…

Student centered assessment is something I have only recently encountered. Most of my experience in the classroom has been as a student. At the time, I only considered tests or graded assignments to be assessment. I now realize there was so much more going on. I suppose every little thing that happened in a classroom was probably some form of assessment. I have learned that simply observing your students as they work on an assignment is a form of assessment, as well as so many other things.

The more I learn about teaching the more I see how important it is that the student is involved in their own learning process, including assessment. If they know exactly what is expected during an assignment, they can easily tell if they are doing it right, or including enough information, etc. One example of self-assessment is a rubric. I like rubrics. A rubric gives a student very clear expectations for each step of an assignment. The student knows what type of grade they will receive for the level of work they do.

A side effect of student centered assessment is a sense of pride in their work. If they know what to expect, and they know they have worked hard to attain it, they will know they earned that grade. There will be a sense of ownership that they did this and did it well. If using some form of peer assessment, they are given a chance to work with other students to evaluate their work. This reinforces cooperation between students.

Student centered assessment offers the opportunity to practice skills that will be needed in the real world. Students learn to take pride in their work. Self-assessment is needed in the workplace. No one will hold your hand to make sure you do your job right, but it will be expected that you do it right nonetheless. There are opportunities to learn about collaboration with classmates, which will translate into collaboration with colleagues.

Ultimately, I believe student centered assessment will be a valuable tool in teaching my students not only about math, but about life in the real world.