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Assessing learning

In this section there are resources that will help you develop your assessment literacy and ability to use feedback for learning purposes.

Assessing learning

In this section you can find useful professional development resources – including articles, webinars, podcast episodes, research and teaching tips and tools – all to help you develop your skills and knowledge of Assessing learning.

What does 'Assessing learning' involve?

This professional practice is about you and your learners' assessment literacy. It includes applying the principles and practice of assessment to design tasks to assess your learners' level and measure their progress, taking into account the assessment systems used in your context and local education policies and practice. It is about using types of assessment (e.g. formative and summative) appropriately, and providing feedback for learning purposes. It involves:

  • applying the principles and practice of assessment to design appropriate assessment tasks

  • using formative and summative assessment appropriately at different points in the learning process to monitor and evaluate your learners' understanding, improve their learning outcomes, identify their potential for progression and inform subsequent teaching

  • defining appropriate assessment criteria and applying assessment criteria consistently

  • planning for differentiated and inclusive assessment

  • analysing your learners' errors and helping them to understand their errors through constructive feedback

  • engaging your learners in self- and peer assessment and developing their self- and peer assessment skills

  • preparing your learners for formal assessment, including enabling them to manage stress

  • administering, grading and keeping records of assessment

  • sharing and explaining assessment results appropriately

  • analysing and using data about learning, where available, to support the management of learners, improve their learning outcomes, and make curriculum choices

  • reflecting on the relevance and effectiveness of my assessment of your learners' progress (my assessment literacy).

 

Explore resources on 'Assessing learning'

Our latest tip looks at several of the important issues surrounding testing and assessment. Listen to Clare and Alister discuss their ideas and opinions about how best to assess learners of English. After watching the video, why not give your opinion in the comments below?

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Article

Progress tests, end-of-term exams, end-of-year exams and official exams to name a few. Most educational systems around the globe require us to constantly assess and evaluate our teenage students’ level of English. 

Article

Assistants are not usually expected to carry out formal assessment of their learners with tests or marking. However, students need feedback as they come towards the end of their time with you.

Article

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight