Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs)

A classroom assessment is a simple feedback method faculty can use to collect feedback, early and often, on how well students are learning what they are being taught....Provide faculty and students with information and insights needed to improve teaching effectiveness and learning quality....in order for students to become more independent, successful learners.

Formative assessments are assessments that can be either formal or informal. They are effective tools that are designed to improve the quality of student learning, not to provide evidence for evaluating or grading students. They are helpful in "fine tuning" your courses.

Benefits for Instructors:

• Provide short-term feedback about learning/team process while the teaching/learning relationship is still intact.
• Provide information about student learning in less time compared to tests, papers and other formal assessments.
• Help foster good rapport with students.
• Encourage the view that the teaching process evolves with feedback.
• Help faculty to focus on student learning.
  

Benefits for students:

• Helps students become self-directed learners and monitors of their own learning.
• Provides evidence that the instructor cares about learning.
• Provides an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback to the instructor.
• Students view it as a positive learning experience.
  

Some common classroom assessments include:

• Application Cards
• Muddiest Point Activity
• One-Sentence Summary
• Minute Paper
• One-sentence summary
• What's the Principle?
  

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Classroom Assessment Techniques

National Teaching and Learning Forum
http://www.ntlf.com/html/lib/bib/assess.htm