Why do we assess learning? (Assessment Series Part 1/6)

British Council | TeachingEnglish

4,326 views • 4 years ago 3 min read

Video Summary

This video explores the vital role of assessment in teaching and learning, highlighting that teachers dedicate a significant portion of their time to it. It differentiates between formative assessment, which focuses on improvement and feedback, and summative assessment, which measures learned content and assigns grades. Effectively integrating both types of assessment is shown to boost student success.

A key insight from the video is that teachers assess their students in every single lesson, making it crucial to understand the different methods and purposes behind these assessments.

Short Highlights

Teachers spend up to half of their time conducting or preparing for assessments.
Formative assessment focuses on student improvement and provides feedback.
Summative assessment measures what students have learned and assigns grades.
Examples of formative assessment include teacher feedback on writing and in-class comprehension checks.
Summative assessment can include class quizzes, midterms (achievement tests), or general language ability tests (proficiency tests).
Using both formative and summative assessment well has been shown to increase student success.

Key Details

Introduction to Assessing Learning [00:09]

The video is hosted by Richard Spyby and Carolyn Westbrook from the Assessment Research Group at the British Council.
Both hosts have extensive experience in teaching and assessment, spanning over 20 years.
Their interest in assessment stems from understanding the critical thinking required for fair language tests and the profound impact assessments have on students' lives.

"I also come from a teaching background having spent over 25 years as a teacher a teacher trainer and a materials writer I became interested in assessment over 20 years ago when I realized that the assessments that i give to my students can have a profound impact on their lives"

Structure and Purpose of the Video Series [01:02]

Assessment is presented as an essential component of teaching and learning.
The video aims to provide ideas on how to assess students in the classroom, with a top tip at the end of each part.
The series is divided into six parts, each approximately five minutes long, covering different aspects of assessment.
Part one introduces why students are assessed.
Subsequent parts cover assessing reading (Part 2), listening (Part 3), speaking (Part 4), writing (Part 5), and integrated skills (Part 6).

Why Understanding Assessment is Vital for Teachers [01:58]

Teachers dedicate up to 50% of their time to conducting or preparing for assessments.
Knowledge of assessment aids teachers in effectively integrating it into their teaching.
Benefits include improved classroom tasks and enhanced ability to guide students, parents, and others affected by test results.
Assessment is central to teachers' professional development.

Types of Classroom Assessment: Formative vs. Summative [02:38]

Teachers assess students formatively and summatively in nearly every lesson.
Formative assessment focuses on what students have learned and how they can improve.
Examples of formative assessment include teacher feedback on writing, peer feedback, self-assessment, and teacher questions to check understanding of grammar points.
Summative assessment measures what students have learned and assigns a grade.
Examples of summative assessment include achievement tests (like class quizzes or midterms related to course content) and proficiency tests (measuring general language ability).
Research indicates that the effective use of both formative and summative assessment leads to increased student success.