Assessments are used all of the time in the classroom. Teachers can have assessments built into their lesson plans, an assignment/project or an end unit of understanding evaluation. Assessments are used to understand strengths and weaknesses of students learning.

Formative assessments can be used regularly during a lesson/unit of study to check for understanding. This would give the whole bird eye view of the picture on how the class is doing. Summative assessments are best used to evaluate the studentā€™s mastery of what the unit was about and needs to be given after the unit has been completed. Ā Assessments need to integrate grading, learning and motivation.

The role of assessments is to improve a student’s learning. Assessments allow teachers to decide if they need to re-teach material or move forward. Assessments can show where students have difficulties in learning, can help diagnose disabilities, allow students and teachers to learn from their mistakes and allow for differentiate instruction. Assessments open up a window for teachers to look through showcasing the studentā€™s learning. Teachers are able to see if there are any visible barriers and how they might be able to improve the teaching of the material. Being able to understand strengths and weaknesses of each studentā€™s learning will allow the teacher to adjust the lesson and possibly incorporate material that every student would be able to understand and complete. Assessments should not be used as a negative tool for students, but a positive tool that shows what the student has learned, how well they learned and where they struggle. We, as teachers are here to help students. The more information we have about the students, the better we can prepare units for successful learning, understanding and completion. No child needs to feel like they can not do the work because they do not understand. Assessments are a positive tool in order to gain feedback on the students in your class and need to be used regularly in the classroom.