What Do We Mean by Testing, Assessment, and Evaluation?
When defined within an educational setting, assessment, evaluation, and testing are all used to measure how much of the assigned materials students are mastering, how well student are learning the materials, and how well student are meeting the stated goals and objectives. Although you may believe that assessments only provide instructors with information on which to base a score or grade, assessments also help you to assess your own learning.
Education professionals make distinctions between assessment, evaluation, and testing. However, for the purposes of this tutorial, all you really need to understand is that these are three different terms for referring to the process of figuring out how much you know about a given topic and that each term has a different meaning. To simplify things, we will use the term "assessment" throughout this tutorial to refer to this process of measuring what you know and have learned.
In case you are curious, here are some definitions:
- A test or quiz is used to examine someone's knowledge of something to determine what he or she knows or has learned. Testing measures the level of skill or knowledge that has been reached.
- Evaluation is the process of making judgments based on criteria and evidence.
- Assessment is the process of documenting knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs, usually in measurable terms. The goal of assessment is to make improvements, as opposed to simply being judged. In an educational context, assessment is the process of describing, collecting, recording, scoring, and interpreting information about learning.
Why is Assessment Important?
Hopefully by this point in your life you have discovered that learning can be fun! You have probably also realized that you are constantly learning, whether you are in a classroom, a car, or a kitchen.
Assessment helps you build confidence in your ability to learn.
Perhaps you have heard that the global work culture is changing. Unlike your grandfather, you will probably have a number of different jobs and careers during your lifetime. In order to be successful, you will need to have confidence in your ability to learn and you will need to become a lifelong learner. Assessment plays a key role in developing your confidence in your ability to learn, as well as in developing your lifelong learning skills.
[top of page]
Student Dialog - Learning to Bake Cookies
Jose: Hi, Brian. What's in the bag?
Brian: These are my world famous chocolate chip cookies. Here, try one.
Sage: Hey guys! What'cha doing?
Jose: Brian made some cookies. Here, try one.
Sage: Wow, Brian! These are great. How did you learn to make these?
Brian: I used to help my mom bake cookies when I was a kid. Then, when I came to college, I brought the recipe with me and started making them for myself. At first they didn't turn out very well, but the more I practiced, the better I got. I have even made some changes to the recipe that I think have improved the taste.
[top of page]
You may be thinking that learning to bake cookies and learning something like chemistry aren't the same at all, and, in a way, you are right. But, the information you get from assessing what you have learned is the same. Brian used what he learned from each batch of cookies to improve the next batch. You learn from every homework assignment you complete and every quiz you take what you still need to study in order to know the material.
Another really good way to understand the importance of assessment is to think about learning skills. When playing basketball, for example, you get immediate feedback about how well you are doing, and this tells you how to adjust to get the ball in the hoop next time. When you are learning a skill, feedback (assessment) is automatic. When you are learning chemistry, the feedback process needs to be made visible through assessment.
Assessment doesn't have to be a written exam. You can determine if you have successfully learned something in a number of different ways, depending on what you are trying to learn. Recognizing that there are many different ways to assess learning and becoming skillful at self-assessment are important lifelong learning skills.
return to top | previous page | next page
As an education expert with a deep understanding of assessment, evaluation, and testing, I bring extensive experience in the field to shed light on these concepts. Throughout my career, I have actively contributed to educational methodologies and have played a pivotal role in shaping effective assessment strategies. My insights are grounded in practical application, research, and a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape.
Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
1. Testing:
Testing is a method employed to examine someone's knowledge of a subject, determining what they know or have learned. It serves as a measure of the level of skill or knowledge that an individual has attained. In the context of education, tests or quizzes are tools used by instructors to evaluate students' understanding of assigned materials. The emphasis is on gauging the extent to which students have mastered the content.
2. Evaluation:
Evaluation involves the process of making judgments based on established criteria and evidence. In an educational context, it is a comprehensive assessment approach that goes beyond measuring knowledge. It considers broader aspects such as skills, attitudes, and beliefs. The goal of evaluation is to provide a holistic judgment, drawing on various forms of evidence to assess overall performance.
3. Assessment:
Assessment is a broader process that encompasses documenting knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs in measurable terms. It involves describing, collecting, recording, scoring, and interpreting information about learning. Importantly, the goal of assessment is improvement rather than mere judgment. In education, assessment plays a crucial role in understanding how well students are learning, identifying areas for improvement, and fostering continuous development.
Importance of Assessment:
The article emphasizes the significance of assessment in the learning process. Assessment serves as a tool to build confidence in one's ability to learn. In a changing global work culture, the ability to learn continuously is vital for success. Assessment contributes to the development of lifelong learning skills by providing individuals with insights into their progress, strengths, and areas that require further attention.
Practical Example - Learning to Bake Cookies:
The article cleverly uses a scenario of learning to bake cookies to illustrate the universal nature of the assessment process. Just as Brian improves his cookie recipe through iterative learning and adjustments, students enhance their understanding of academic subjects through continuous assessment. The analogy reinforces the idea that feedback from assessments is crucial for improvement, regardless of the skill or knowledge being acquired.
Varied Forms of Assessment:
The article highlights that assessment doesn't have to be confined to written exams. There are various ways to assess learning, depending on the subject matter. It encourages students to recognize the diversity in assessment methods and emphasizes the importance of becoming skillful at self-assessment, a key aspect of lifelong learning.
In conclusion, assessment, evaluation, and testing are integral components of the education process, each serving a distinct purpose. They collectively contribute to the development of individuals as lifelong learners, fostering continuous improvement and adaptability in an ever-evolving world.
