LIFELONG LEARNING

Understanding Types and Methods of Assessment Used in Lifelong Learning



Understanding Types and Methods of Assessment Used in Lifelong Learning

Introduction

The need to stay current and be aware of the new and modern happenings taking place in a field is important for all professionals. But this need is becoming more and more urgent as advancement in technology is continuously changing the dynamics of the workplace. Assuming that a person has attended the graduate school, there are other ways to stay current with the new trends and knowledge in a field. Workshops, short courses, conferences and seminar can always help in the acquiring of new knowledge and ideas. But the reader will agree with me that it is not possible to continuously acquire knowledge through these venues or means. A time will come when the individual will need to search the world wide web, go to library to read an article or a book learn on his own through other ways. It is therefore in this perspective that lifelong learning skills are required to be defined, taught and practiced.

Healthcare profession has no exception to the rule of change. There are new and expanding roles for health care professionals, increased technological advancement in patient treatment and care and a continuous reorganization and resource redirection. For nursing profession lifelong learning is doesn't mean keeping up to date. It means instead that an inquiring approach is developed to the practice of nursing.

Discussion

The discussion section will talk in detail about the various types of assessment and different methods of assessment.

Different Types of Assessment

Initial Assessment

Initial assessment includes the procedures that are used to determine what prior aptitude, abilities and experience a learner has. Doing initial assessment of an individual will lead to provision of such information which will be very useful in planning the individual's future learning and will also help in improving effectively their chances of learning. If this assessment is not used then there are only assumptions that can be made about an individual's future learning needs. It is also likely to make some suppositions about the learner from the selection test or using the information contained in application tests but it is an insecure and unreliable form of planning. Sometimes learners also bring pre-defined notions about learning from their past experiences and while not all but some of these may limit the way an individual looks ahead to new ways of learning (Anonymous, 2003, p.1).

Specific to my area the teachers need to assess what kind and level of knowledge new nurses are bringing in and then based on that information the teachers will make plans so as to fulfil the future learning needs of the nurses.

Formative Assessment

When initial assessment is done and a planned approach to learning is established and implemented then formative assessment comes in to play. The purpose of formative assessment is to provide feedback and advice to students or individuals on their learning activities. Just like initial assessment formative assessment is also useful to teachers as ...