Module 4 Activity 8 - Planning an assessment strategy

A carefully planned and executed assessment strategy is important to the teaching learning process.  As teachers plan the assessment strategy it needs to be remembered that this ought to be aligned to the learning outcomes.  Assessment strategies provide students with a wide range of learning experiences which integrate ICT and which allow students to function outside of the mundane classrooms of chalk and talk and exercise books.  These strategies as well, allow for the integration of other subject areas thereby improving on students competencies across the board.
As teachers employ assessment strategies they open avenues for students to acquire additional skills which they would not have received in regular lessons.  These include cooperative and group dynamic skills, critical thinking skills and improved active listening skills.
I have found this activity to be challenging but rewarding as here on our island, assessment strategies are not written in this great detail.  Further, assessment tools are not usually those which feature rubrics and checklists and this would be a welcomed addition into the curriculum at my school.

Module 4 Activity 7 - Giving feedback

In any learning environment , feedback plays an important role as it describes the areas for improvement, strengths and weaknesses and avenues to take to advance future learning.  As feedback is given, it ought to be done constructively and in a spirit of co-operation and support.  The inividual providing the feedback ought not to be swayed to providing all negative comments but should marry negative comments with the positive comments as well.
When receiving comments, individuals are called to listen without interrupting and to keep an open mind since the information given seeks to improve learning and behaviour.
This might be a bit challenging for some as when persons are confronted with areas that they need to improve on become rather defensive and turned off from the issues which try to improve and not hurt.