Assessment

Assessment is the process of identifying, gathering and interpreting information about student learning. The main purpose of assessment is to improve student learning and the quality of learning programs. Assessment should therefore be undertaken: before the commencement of a teaching/learning program (diagnostic); during the program (formative); and at the end of the program (summative).

Diagnostic assessment is the process of discovering what students know and can do so that teachers can identify difficulties and target problems in the teaching and learning process. Establishing individual students’ prior knowledge and skills before commencing a teaching/learning program will identify where each student is on their learning continuum, ie the starting point for each student in the teaching/learning program.

Formative assessment is the practice of building a cumulative profile of student achievement. In Geography, this means informal and systematic observation of students as they engage with the course content during day-to-day class activities. Feedback should be provided to students as a means of indicating their successes and shortfalls. Establishing assessment criteria will assist in assessing the particular outcomes achieved and in providing feedback to students.

Summative assessment is the practice of making judgements about student achievement at certain relevant points in the learning program, such as at the conclusion of a topic, a program of study, a stage, a term or a school year. Formal assessment activities such as tests, projects and assignments are generally used to make summative judgements. Such assessment tools may address a single outcome or a number of outcomes.

Assessment should be structured so that students can demonstrate a range of outcomes through a variety of assessment tools and measurement techniques during the course time. The selected method of gathering and measuring this information is the responsibility of schools and teachers. Teachers should endeavour to select instruments based on the principles of effective assessment and the purpose for which the gathered information will be used.