Testing, in which students answer a list of questions and earn a score, is the most popular way to assess students. Types of examinations include true/false, multiple choice and short answer tests. Teachers develop a rubric of goals and objectives taught throughout the course, and test to see whether students meet these standards. Testing measures conceptual understanding and how well students comprehend these concepts. Schools also give placement tests to students so they can be placed into classes with others who test in a similar range.
Interviewing students once they finish a course gives teachers different answers than testing. Interviews give instant feedback with lengthy answers, allowing the interviewer to ask follow-up questions. Adults often give more thoughtful answers than young students and are more likely to speak out about what they liked and did not like about their educational experience. Interviews also allow teachers to read body language, analyzing hesitation in answering questions or the volume of a student's voice. As with tests, teachers develop a rubric with goals and objectives as well as a list of questions to ask students, writing down and measuring their responses.
Surveys can work two ways in the assessment process for adult education. They can take the place of an interview by asking students to respond to a questionnaire about their educational experience. Educators also use surveys to ask employers whether the vocational or career programs they teach in the classroom meet the needs of the workplace. Answers to those questions improve the overall teaching of the school and sometimes affect the mission, goals and objectives of courses and programs. Teachers often tailor questions to get information on specific issues.
Learning journals allow students to reflect on what they learned throughout the course. They also show what students struggle with and what they found easy in the course, how they solved key problems, questions raised along the way and their own shortcomings. Students can use a variety of ways to compile their journal, including a notebook and an Internet blog. Learning journals also get students of any age into the practice of writing, honing skills used heavily in the business world.