Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment is the systematic process of gathering information about students' learning in order to describe what they know, are able to do, and are working toward. From the evidence and information collected in assessments, teachers describe each student's learning and performance. They use this information to provide students with ongoing feedback, plan further instructional and learning activities, set subsequent learning goals, and determine areas requiring diagnostic teaching and intervention.

Teachers determine the purpose, aspects, or attributes of learning on which to focus the assessment. They also decide when to collect the evidence and the assessment methods, tools, or techniques most appropriate to use. Assessment focusses on the critical or significant aspects of the learning students will be asked to demonstrate. Students benefit when they clearly understand the learning goals and learning expectations.

Assessment in Technology Education

The activities suggested in this IRP illustrate a variety of strategies for observing and interacting with students and for collecting their work. Each set of assessment strategies begins with a context statement that suggests an overall approach for the assessment of content, processes, and procedures. Teachers may want to adapt some of the suggested activities to suit particular students or situations. While students perform activities, teachers use a variety of strategies to assess their levels of understanding in relation to outcomes. Possible strategies include performance assessment, oral and written reports, and student self-assessment. For further support, Appendix D of this IRP includes a more detailed discussion of assessment and evaluation.

The provincial reference sets are an additional resource that can be used to help teachers assess skills across curricular areas. The reference sets can help teachers establish criteria that focus assessments and provide a more complete picture of student development.

The reference sets include:

Evaluating Reading Across Curriculum (RB 0034)
Evaluating Writing Across Curriculum (RB 0020 & RB 0021)
Evaluating Problem Solving Across Curriculum (RB 0053)
Evaluating Group Communication Skills Across Curriculum (RB 0051)
Evaluating Mathematical Development Across Curriculum (RB 0052)

A series of assessment handbooks have also been developed to provide guidance for teachers as they explore and expand their assessment repertoires.

Performance Assessment (XX0246)
Portfolio Assessment (XX0247)
Student-Centred Conferencing (XX0248)
Student Self-Assessment (XX0249)

Table of Contents

Province of British Columbia
Ministry of Education
MOE Curriculum Branch

Maintained by: Technology Education Coordinator

Revised: February 27, 1996

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