BIG IDEA number 3

The third of Sally Brown's 5 BIG IDEAS in engaging students in assessment awaits. If this triggers any reaction for you then please add a comment!

Sally's BIG IDEA No. 3

Diverse and innovative assessment helps diverse students learn better

Traditional assessment methods tend to reinforce rather limited approaches to learning by students, by encouraging memorisation, unproductive rote learning and attitude to knowledge acquisition that are reminiscent of the language of eating disorders (stuffing in and regurgitation of facts). We therefore need to utilise a wide range of assessment methods and approaches.
Innovative assessment approaches can foster a spirit of enquiry, encourage curiosity and promote autonomy where they encourage students to become closely involved with evaluating their own and each others’ learning. (Falchikov, 2005; Pickford and Brown, 2006).