Classroom assessment is a method for collecting information about student learning. As instructors, we assess students through tests, quizzes, papers and projects, and students receive feedback in the form of a grade. While graded assessment is necessary in the college classroom, ungraded assessment is equally valuable because it gives both the instructor and the students an opportunity to gauge how well the information is being learned before a grade is assigned. The goal of ungraded, or formative, classroom assessment is to provide early feedback about student learning and to reinforce course content.
Classroom assessment techniques are specific practices used to collect information about student learning. Examples include pro/con grids, one-minute papers, and many others. For more information about classroom assessment visit the teaching excellence website and click on the classroom assessment tab.
