Tutorial 7: Reflections on Alternative Assessment

Despite clear evidence of the need for alternative assessment advocated by the critics of standardized summative testing cited in the articles read for this e-learning module, I do not forsee a radical change of the mainstays of our education system, such as the annual PSLE and semestral examinations .

While it would be tempting to criticize current summative assessment methods, what viable alternatives do we have? Implementing nationwide alternatives that will surpass or match the effectiveness of current modes of assessment, in terms of reliability, validity and consistency, is indeed a gargantuan task; and experience has shown that attempts to incorporate recommendations to diversify and reassess assessment methods through Project Work, portfolios and process diaries, are not without their problems. Issues such as the inordinate amount of effort, time and administration, required in Project Work, have been common complaints. Feedback from students from the Through-Train programme whom I tutor, confirms this.

Apart from thinking about systemic issues, the tutorial has also made me think about not merely the effectiveness of assessments, but their affectiveness as well. It is imperative that assessments are useful not just for the teacher, but for the learner as well. Assessments, must cater to multiple intelligences and learning styles, and ought to be a cause for success. To do so, I must make a concerted effort to know my learners well — although it remains to be seen if this would indeed be possible, if I were to have 420 students as I did at Greenview Secondary School. In the process of doing so, I must be clear about my assessment objectives and be cognizant of my long term goals, while keeping in mind, the various factors which affect my assessment design. Only with this increased awareness, can I convincingly persuade learners about the necessity and true rationale behind assessment, which entail much more than grades.

In a nut shell I've learnt that assessment is not merely a measure of success, but it could very well be the cause for success.

Please click here for an overview of my notes gathered during Tutorial 7.