OVERVIEW

A vital part of what teachers do in the classroom is linked to the needs of the students. However, to be effective at meeting these needs, teachers must be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the students. This calls for the use of skills in classroom assessment. Unfortunately, in many cases, assessment is seen as a means of obtaining marks to report to parents or education administrators. In addition, the predominant means of assessment, testing, is sometimes used as a punishment and in an attempt to control students in the classroom. These restrictive views of assessment have contributed to both teachers and students seeing assessment as burdensome. This course is designed to present teachers with a more comprehensive view of assessment: its purpose, a range of techniques that can be used, as well as principles that should guide the selection, construction and administration of assessment tools. It is designed to help participants to see assessment as a meaningful, integral part of the service that they provide for school community. This is a hands-on course and participants should engage in activities that would allow them to develop skills in assessing students in general and in their areas of specialisation.