Alternative assessment tools

Abstract

Assessment is an essential component of teaching. Assessment may be formative, helping students identify gaps in their understanding and building competence, or may be summative, permitting a final evaluation of competence for assignment of a grade or to permit students to advance in a program or career. Assessment methods must accurately reflect the learning objectives and activities that preceded their implementation, must be a true test of student learning rather than an exercise in test-taking skills or ability to ascertain what the instructor considers most important, and must permit the instructor to provide consistent and timely feedback.