Alternative assessment techniques in mathematics: realistic use in the classroom

Sanghmitra Agarwal

Few thoughts about assessment

Assessment is the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development. Because What you test is what you get, so we must be sure that our assessments set high standards! The aim is better assessment, not more.

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Reasons for evaluating

Why do I evaluate? How do I evaluate? How well does it work?

My Wish-list:

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Things to remember
Dont try to do it all at once. Dont try to do it all alone, our best resources are one another. Use other resources such as web-sites, journals, conferences. Involve the students and make student self-assessment an integral part of the assessment process. Be persistent, dont give up.

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A Sample Assessment Plan

Decide on your goals for this period of time. Find out what your students can already do. Build an instructional program that reects the following points. Assessment should be integral to instruction. Multiple means of assessment should be used. All aspects of subject matter knowledge should be assessed. Plan a system for documenting achievement. Maintain a continuous review of assessment and its effects. Share ideas with others.
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Forms of alternative assessment

Performance assessment. Open ended questions. Observations. Interviews. Asking questions. Portfolio. Writing. Student self-assessment.

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Cycle of assessment

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Portfolio assignment
Cover page. Table of Contents. Subject related autobiography. Select a section. Exam: preparations, expectations, etc. Graphs. Report on a legend in this subject area. A course reection.

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Sample rubrics
Holistic rubric Completeness Neatness Accuracy Creativity Analytic rubric Understanding the problem Planning a solution Getting an answer

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Advantages of alternative assessment

Advantages for teachers Gain access to student thinking. Strengthen their listening skills. Enhance their ability to ask non-threatening questions. Advantages for students Think more deeply about problems. Ask deeper and more frequent questions. Feel responsibility and ownership. Form new insights into the subject matter.

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