Strengths and limitations of assessment methods Essay

Strengths and limitations of assessment methods - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that different assessment methods can be more or less effective in assessing the different skills, attitudes, and knowledge of your students. A teacher would probably set up a practical activity and have learners demonstrate their skills for assessment. Some learners are not, however, as confident as others demonstrating practical skills and need more time to observe others or to practice these skills in a less formal setting. Practical assessments, such as demonstrations, presentations, and simulations can be limited with regards to assessing learners’ theoretical understanding of a subject. Group discussions can engage and motivate the majority of students but some learners might feel left out. Multiple-choice exams provide opportunities for learners to receive immediate feedback and results but do not provide them with opportunities to elaborate on concepts. Essays, on the other hand, provide learners with opportunities to explore their ideas and elaborate on concepts relating to the subject but are difficult to assess. Some assessment methods, like role-plays, can be â€Å"holistic† and help you assess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of your learners but some learners can be inhibited by their nerves. Given the above strengths and weaknesses of different assessment methods, it is important for an instructor or a teacher to consider individual learner needs. For instance, it is essential that any initial assessment procedure is done in the context of recognizing a learner’s aspirations as well as learning goals.