Learner voices on how to assess learning

Flexible Assessment is an outcomes-based approach where formative and summative assessments are mixed to measure learning outcomes in ways that allow learner voices on assessment weights, what and how to assess as well as self- and peer-assessments. Flexible assessment usually involves using some or all of the following assessment methods:

• Learner voices on assessment weights

First: Flexible assessment weights

Second: Open flexible assessment pathway

• Learner voices on what to assess

• Learner voices on how to assess learning

• Learner voices on self-assessment

• Learner voices on peer-assessment

In this blog, I will be discussing flexible assessment in terms of learner voices on how to assess learning. The blog proceeds in the following order:

a) Requirements of learner voices on how to assess

b) Procedure of learner voices on how to assess

c) Benefits of learner voices on how to assess

 a) Requirements of learner voices on how to assess

• Learners choose to do 1 or 2 assessment tasks/ tests for each of six assessments. Examples of assessment tasks include:

• Ability measures/ tests (g., written test, oral test, written report, oral presentation)

• Performance/ alternative assessment measures (g., behavioral interview, project, portfolio, performance on actual tasks, peer assessment, self-assessment)

• Personality measures (g., attitude scales, rating scales, vocational interests)

• Learners choose to do between 1 and 5 assessment techniques for each of the six assessments. Examples of assessment techniques/ questions include:

• Hotspot, Multiple Choice, Multiple Response, Numeric, Short Answer, Essay

• Drag and Drop, Drag the Words, Fill in the Blanks, Likert Scale, Matching

• Select from Lists, Sequence, True or False, Yes/ NO

• Different assessment tasks and techniques or a mix of new and previous ones are used in subsequent assessments.

• The six assessments are outcomes-based.

• Each assessment must address specific course LOs.

• The six assessments blend formative and summative assessments.

b) Procedure of learner voices on how to assess

Assessment #1

Assessment tasks:

• Students (Ss) choose to do a written test and/ or oral presentation

Assessment techniques:

• Ss choose to do numeric questions, multiple-response, short-answer etc.

Assessment #2

Assessment tasks:

• Ss choose to teach a minilesson and/ or peer-assess a written task

Assessment techniques:

• Ss choose to do a rating scale, fill-in the blanks, essay question etc.

Assessment #3

Assessment tasks:

• Ss choose to self-assess and/ or do a small project

Assessment techniques:

• Ss choose to do drag and drop, hotspot, multiple-choice etc.

Assessment #4

Assessment tasks:

• Ss choose to do a written report and/ or a product or process portfolio

Assessment techniques:

• Ss choose to do matching, sequence, short-answer, essay etc.

Assessment #5

Assessment tasks:

• Ss choose to do a written test and/ or oral presentation

Assessment techniques:

• Ss choose to do multiple-choice, short-answer, essay, true/false with justification etc.

 Assessment #6

Assessment tasks:

• Ss choose to do a written test and/ or perform a task

Assessment techniques:

• Ss choose to do multiple-choice, multiple response, short-answer, numeric etc.

c) Benefits of learner voices on how to assess

• Students develop understanding that particular assessment tasks and techniques can measure particular LOs better than others.

• Variation of assessment tasks and techniques get students prepared to achieve different LOs.

• Development of evaluative and analytical abilities as Ss choose the right assessment tasks and techniques that align with the target LOs.

• Students develop understanding of the differences between assessment tasks and techniques.

• Since Ss choose how to assess, they develop internal incentives to study for and achieve well in each assessment.