6.+Best+Practices+for+Classroom+Assessments

Authentic assessment is a form of assessment that allows students to use performance-based tasks to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Authentic assessment includes five main elements: performing a task, real-life, construction/application, student-structured, and direct evidence. Performing a task is the most important aspect of authentic assessment. Unlike traditional assessment which simply requires selecting the correct response, the task requires the student to demonstrate their understanding through performance by meaningful application. The real-life element of authentic assessment helps students make a connection between their learning and their lives. This is critical because in real-life situations students will be required to respond by action to solve problems or complete tasks. They will not be able to simply choose the correct answer. Construction and application are elements of authentic assessment that allow students to reach higher levels of thinking on Bloom’s Taxonomy. The construction and application aspect of authentic assessment requires students to take their knowledge and actually apply it to demonstrate understanding. An additional benefit to this is that students create new meaning in the process. Another aspect of authentic assessment is that it is primarily student-structured. It allows students to choose how the construct the final product or performance. Although there are some parameters around the assignment, it is not as rigid as giving a multiple- choice test. More importantly, authentic assessment provides direct evidence of students understanding. Authentic assessment does not provide opportunities for guessing the right answer. Students have to construct and apply their knowledge in a meaningful way. This is beneficial for the student and teacher because it is clear whether or not the student is learning.
 * Best Practices for Classroom Assessment**

10 Authentic Assessments Dictation – To administer this assessment, the teacher reads a passage aloud and the students write down what the teacher is saying. This assessment can be used to assess students’ language proficiency in listening and writing. It also can be used to help students build their summary skills and ability to pull-out main ideas and supporting details.

Cloze Test – This type of assessment consists of passages in which certain words are missing. The missing word is replaced with a blank and the student must decide from a word bank which word is appropriate for the blank. A type cloze test recommended for English language learners is a prepositional phrase cloze test. English preposition phrases are most commonly misunderstood by second language learners. Additional practice would benefit English language learners tremendously.

Story Strips – This type of assessment consist of passages that are cut apart sentence by sentence. Students must put them back in the correct order. This type of assessment is helpful because it demonstrates students understanding of the passage and it also allows students to become familiar with the formatting of written language.

Role Plays/Dramatization – This type of assessment allows students be put in real situations or duplicate situations from a text and act it out. This allows students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding by not being limited by words because they can use nonverbal gestures. This also gives students another avenue for demonstrating content through a universal language, body language.

Journal Writing – This form of assessment allows students to practice expressing themselves in English. When students are stumped and do not know correct words for English expression they could use their L1 and go back later and translate in English. This gives students an opportunity to write without restrictions.

Pictorial – This form of assessment allows students to use pictures to express concepts or ideas. Students can demonstrate their academic proficiency without being hindered by their language proficiency. This assessment is a good way to gage students understanding.

Portfolios – This form of assessment is a collection of students’ work that shows their progress and achievement. Portfolios can have different purposes and should include elements related to language proficiency and academic achievement. Portfolios should be designed and centered on authentic context.

Oral Reports – This form of assessment allows students to practice speaking. Requiring students to practice their presentation in advance will make them more comfortable presenting in front of their classmates. Asking questions after the presentations allow students to practice conversational skills.

Book Talks - This form of assessment allows students to practice speaking and listening. Engaging in discussions about various topics will give ELL students the opportunity to experience language rich environments.

Graphic Organizers – This form of assessment allow students to organize their ideas in a less intimidating way. It also allows teachers to pinpoint their understanding of the concepts or ideas being taught. **Gottlieb, M. 2006. //Assessing English language learners: Bridges from language proficiency// ** **//to academic achievement. //****Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. **

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