Relationship between Assessment Methods and Students' Learning Patterns

Relationship between Assessment Methods and Students' Learning Patterns

Thesis Statement

The relationship between varying assessment tools to deep learning of students is a major concerns for the education system. It is essential to examine and evaluate the assessment methods, its characteristics and degree of impact on the learning patterns of students, to discern students' preferences about different assessment methods and their approach to learning.

Introduction

Assessment is an essential function of the education system at all levels, it always remains crucial for development of students. There are certain methods of evaluation at varying levels of education aimed at measuring students' performance, as to what they have learned in class, training. It is also crucial on the part of educators that their training methodologies are producing the desired results or not. It is the defining feature of the student's approach to learning; the type of assessment practiced is strongly related with the students' learning methodology. It is largely because of learners' perception about the assessment methods; if a student forms negative perception to a particular assessment procedure, it is likely that he would not perform well. Similarly, these perceptions differ amongst the learners and have to be understood to deliver value and raise their educational level. A study found that students perceive assessment as a powerful motivator to develop self-discipline, increased determination, ability to work under pressure however; intense workload affected the depth of studies and students thought it should be reduced so that 'work does not wash over students'. Also, students were concerned about clear guidelines and assessment criteria to aid actual learning instead rather than a requirement. Before we start evaluating different assessment methods, we will focus on the student's approach to learning.

Learning Approaches

While examining students' approaches two learning, we come with three fundamental approaches. Students with surface approach do not intend to develop an understanding of the course content and rather focus on clearing the necessary loops to acquire grades or qualification. They are motivated by fear of failure and as a result, make use of cramming to clear the assessment. Students who take deep approach are motivated towards learning; they value the course, relate idea to one another and everyday experience, understand the material and study beyond the course requirements. On the contrary, the strategic approach of students aims at obtaining high grades, organization of time to greatest effect, predict ...