Theories, principles & models of assessment

As a student teacher, it is important to understand the various theories, principles, and models of assessment. Assessment is the process of measuring a learner’s knowledge and skills to determine their progress and understanding. In this article, we will explore the importance of assessment, the assessment cycle, various theories and concepts of assessment, the principles of assessment, the VARCS model, the SMART principle, the roles of an assessor, and different types of assessment.

Why should assessment take place?

Assessment is a critical component of the teaching and learning process. It helps teachers to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their learners, to monitor progress, to adjust their teaching, and to provide learners with feedback on their performance. Assessment also provides learners with a sense of achievement and motivation, helps them to identify areas where they need to improve, and ensures that they are meeting the learning objectives.

The assessment cycle

The assessment cycle is a continuous process that involves planning, designing, delivering, and evaluating assessment. The cycle begins with planning, where the teacher identifies the learning objectives and the assessment tasks that will be used to measure them. The design phase involves creating the assessment tasks and ensuring that they are aligned with the learning objectives. Delivery involves administering the assessment and collecting the data, and evaluation involves analysing the data and using it to inform teaching and learning.

Theories of assessment

There are several theories of assessment, including the constructivist theory, the sociocultural theory, the humanistic theory, and the behaviorist theory. Each theory has its own approach to assessment, but they all focus on measuring learning outcomes and providing feedback to learners.

Concepts of assessment

There are several concepts of assessment, including validity, reliability, authenticity, and formative and summative assessment. Validity refers to the accuracy of the assessment, while reliability refers to the consistency of the assessment. Authenticity refers to the relevance of the assessment to the real world, and formative and summative assessment refer to the ongoing and final assessments, respectively.

Principles of assessment

The principles of assessment include validity, reliability, fairness, flexibility, and transparency. Validity and reliability were already discussed earlier, and fairness refers to the need to ensure that all learners are given an equal opportunity to succeed. Flexibility refers to the ability to adapt the assessment to meet the needs of learners, while transparency refers to the need to clearly communicate the assessment criteria and expectations to learners.

VARCS

The VARCS model stands for Validation, Appreciation, Recognition, Communication, and Self-Reflection. This model emphasises the importance of creating a positive learning environment and providing learners with feedback that is constructive and supportive.

SMART

The SMART principle stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This principle helps to ensure that assessment tasks are aligned with the learning objectives and that learners are able to achieve them within a specific timeframe.

Roles of an assessor

The roles of an assessor include planning and designing assessments, administering assessments, providing feedback to learners, and evaluating the effectiveness of assessments. Assessors must also ensure that assessments are fair, valid, and reliable, and that they provide a clear understanding of the learning outcomes.

Types of assessment

There are several types of assessment, including diagnostic assessment, formative assessment, summative assessment, and self-assessment. Diagnostic assessment is used to identify learners’ strengths and weaknesses, while formative assessment is used to monitor progress and provide feedback. Summative assessment is used to measure the learning outcomes at the end of a course or unit, while self-assessment involves learners reflecting on their own performance and progress.

In conclusion, assessment is an essential aspect of teaching and learning, and it is important for student teachers to understand the various theories, principles, and models of assessment. By using the assessment cycle, different types of assessment, and understanding the principles of assessment, student teachers can create effective assessments that measure learning outcomes and provide valuable feedback to learners. The VARCS model and the SMART principle provide useful tools for creating a positive learning environment and ensuring that assessment tasks are aligned with learning objectives. As an assessor, it is important to fulfill various roles, including planning and designing assessments, administering assessments, providing feedback, and evaluating the effectiveness of assessments. By utilising different types of assessment, including diagnostic, formative, summative, and self-assessment, student teachers can ensure that they are providing their learners with a comprehensive and effective assessment process.

Further reading:

Academic articles:

1. Taras, M. (2005). Assessment—summative and formative—some theoretical reflections. British Journal of Educational Studies, 53(4), 466-478. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8527.2005.00312.x

2. Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). Assessment and classroom learning. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 5(1), 7-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969595980050102

3. Sadler, D. R. (1989). Formative assessment and the design of instructional systems. Instructional Science, 18(2), 119-144. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00117714

Online articles:

1. Assessment Design and Evaluation (n.d.). Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo. https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/developing-assignments/assessment-design-and-evaluation

2. Theories and Principles of Assessment (n.d.). LearnHigher, The University of Reading. https://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/learnhigher/learnhigher-assessmenttheories.pdf

3. Principles of Effective Assessment and Feedback (2016). University of Glasgow. https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_487259_en.pdf

Videos:

1. Assessment for Learning (2012). Teach First. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqgP6fB3d2Q

2. Assessment Cycle – Effective Assessment Practices (2014). University of Southern Queensland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cnhGnZlBnQ

3. Principles of Assessment (2015). University of South Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1GdoaVZIog