Principles that Underlie Assessment

The article by James (2006) discusses the relationship between assessment and learning. Throughout the article it is discussed that not only does assessment need to be aligned with learning objectives, but it also needs to be effective. This article also gives examples of different classroom assessment practices which I found rather interesting. This section of the article opened my eyes to the ways in which some educators may be assessing their students knowledge. In the first example, the student is completely secluded from the classroom environment and given what seems to be an exam. Putting this type of stress on a new student who is beginning to focus on a new language can be very stressing to the student. I personally do not believe that this is an ideal way to assess the knowledge of a student, however I do understand that schools are still required to do standardized testing in such a way throughout the school year. In contrast, the third example is similar to the ways in which we are encouraged to assess today. The student is included in what the rest of the class is doing, and they are provided with all of the supports that they need to be successful. In the article, there are a few theories of learning expressed; I would like to focus on Pavlov’s theory of learning. Although his research may be outdated, there are many valuable points that he raised through his research. I think the most important piece is that “environment for learning is the determining factor” (James, 2006). As mentioned above in the different examples of assessing, it is clear to see that students thriven the environments that have the supports that they need. I do not believe that there is one theory that hits the nail on the head when it comes to student learning. However, if all theories are used in combination with eachother, we can see how the pieces fit together and how we can use this previous research to reach all students in our classes.

Hinchey (2010) raised a very interesting point in the very beginning of the article. Hichney uses the topic of music to express how many of us are set in our ways simply because we have been introduced to it, and we have not had many other experiences to alter the ways in which we think. I think this is especially true when it comes to teaching for various cultures that we will experience in our time as teachers; I know that I will continue to struggle with this. I do not have much experience with cultures other than my own, but I am continuing to educate myself in order to better the learning experience for my students. The article discussed positivist learning and the expectation that our student will know more upon exiting school than they did when entering. Our roles as teachers is to become and expert on a specific topic in order to relay that information to our students. However, it is also our responsibility to ensure that our students learn that information and comprehend it, rather than being able to recite it on an exam just to forget it the next day. Constructivist learning was a bit harder for me to understand because I feel like I never really experienced it throughout my schooling. The idea of allowing students to experience the information from themselves, and in a way, teach themselves is something that I think every student needs. Children and even adults need to be able to figure things our for themselves and I think this constructivist view really helps me to understand how to do so.

keywords: behaviourist, constructivist, positivist, socio-cultural