When it comes to assessing the performances of students, there are usually no universally acceptable standards. While teachers in certain parts of the globe may be more interested in knowing how well students are apply to apply knowledge to real-life situations, others are more interested in how students can recite [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][regurgitate] the things they have been taught. It can be argued that either way it’s all good. But the truth remains that when we look students from certain parts of the world (those from advanced countries mostly) and compare them with students in Africa, the difference is always clear. Now I admit this fact with a heavy heart because apparently, I am here; trained here and all. The sort of classroom assessment I received right from Primary school through to secondary and even up to Post Graduate Studies never really tried to show interest in how well I’m able to solve problems with the knowledge I’ve been impacted. This does not have to be the case for the students coming after me. So that is why I am writing this, so that teachers and policy-makers [alike] can take note and begin to revise/revamp our Education System in its entirety in order to ensure better standards and products.
Anyway, without further I do I hereby present some of the best ways to assess students which can work wonders anywhere. Feel free to share with your colleagues and teacher friends; these tips are resourceful…
Require Oral Feedback: Interview your students to hear their feedback about a particular lesson. Allow them to speak freely, using their own words and examples to express what they’ve just learnt. Most importantly, teachers must also make room for students to disagree with certain things during such sessions. Nothing makes students shut off and recoil more than a hostile teacher who makes no provision for “academic dissent.”Anyway, note that using the oral feedback assessment model will not only help you see how much your students have actually learnt, but also enable the students themselves learn public speaking skill; very important!
The Role Play Assessment Model: Another very good way to assess students’ performance in the classroom is to assign role plays. This works more like acting out a movie script; a simulation/practical if you wish. Make the class interesting by assigning your students to bring to life everything you’ve taught them about a particular topic. And by doing this, you will see exactly how creative your students can be with solving real life problems by channeling the knowledge they’ve been taught. Now I understand that this method may not work for all subjects; you can’t ask students to role-play a sexual reproduction class for instance. Yet, it works generally in most cases and should indeed be used when applicable.
Other assessment methods-
- Class presentations
- Written feedback
- Peer feedback
- Discussion
- Exams (Fill in the blank, multiple choice, true or false)
- Online quiz etc.
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