We begin our monthly theme for May with an introduction to educational assessment by focusing on two key issues: How do we assess education and who's education are we assessing. At first look, the how may bring to mind quizzes, assignments, tests, projects, exams, and presentations, in addition to many other similar methods which have become a part of education. As for the who, well that should be quite clear, we asses the student's education. After all, students attend our schools to become educated. However, a closer look at each of these two key issues reveal to us that there is more to assessing education than just testing the student.
While it is true that quizzes, tests, and exams are valuable tools to assess education, we must also be aware that there are limitations for each one. One of the limits which must be imposed is that of time, for example, a 20 minute quiz versus a 2-hour exam. It only makes sense that more educational knowledge can be assessed in two hours than it can in 20 minutes. It is because of these and other limitations that we must take care when implementing an educational assessment.
Education can be acquired by students through good instruction and perseverance. This should make our assessment process to be focused on individual achievement. We cannot, however, ignore the fact that education can also be acquired by students through collaboration and cooperation with each other. This is why we must also look at assessment beyond the individual achievement, and try to include groups of students, classrooms, schools, and districts.
How we assess education and who's education we are assessing are two key issues that we must take a close look at if we are to fully understand the importance of assessing education.
Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2014. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014
May 2014
May is known, through most of the world, for Mother's Day. For us in the U.S. It is also known for its Memorial Day holiday, the last holiday of the school year. Long ago, it seems, we were returning from Winter Break to start the first school day of 2014. Even longer than this was that first day of school which followed last year's summer. May is the last full month of academic instruction.
It is in this month of May that we, as educators, and those of us who are involved in education (Students, Assistants, Teachers, Parents, Principals, Administrators, etc.) should begin the process of assessing education. A good educational assessment provides accountability. It allows us to check for a balance of equality and fairness of quality in the instruction which we have provided for our students throughout this past school year.
MRCR Education dedicates the month of May to educational assessment. Throughout this month, various topics related to educational assessment will be presented in our posts. We hope that you find them informational and useful, and welcome your feedback too.
Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2014. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
It is in this month of May that we, as educators, and those of us who are involved in education (Students, Assistants, Teachers, Parents, Principals, Administrators, etc.) should begin the process of assessing education. A good educational assessment provides accountability. It allows us to check for a balance of equality and fairness of quality in the instruction which we have provided for our students throughout this past school year.
MRCR Education dedicates the month of May to educational assessment. Throughout this month, various topics related to educational assessment will be presented in our posts. We hope that you find them informational and useful, and welcome your feedback too.
Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2014. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
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