Surveys usually take a small amount of time and provide instant feedback on a wide range of subject matter. Assessors begin the process by writing a list of questions identifying goals and objectives of a given process or product. People answering the survey can rank their answers on a numbered scale. Surveys might also feature portion where those taking the survey can answer short questions.
People conducting the assessment can tailor questions specifically to the answers they want; they can also score the answers quickly and save the results for future research and even compare them with other groups. Some may choose to use a paper form or online version.
Portfolios in assessment work best for creative works, such as art and writing because they show progress from the beginning to the end. A portfolio demonstrates the skills and techniques students learn when they first start a task and how they apply those skills using different techniques in various assignments. In assessing a portfolio, educators can ask questions of the artist (or writer) about what they learned and the different techniques used. They can also use the time to explain why they made certain choices in their creations.
Interviews work well for assessment because both sides sit down for a face-to-face interview. Interviewers begin by selecting a list of questions based on the goals and objectives of a particular process or product. In asking the questions, they also get to ask follow-up question based on the answers they receive, which gives more specific information. An in-person interview also allows people to watch for body language, hesitation in answering questions and the tone of voice. Interviews can sometimes take a longer period of time, but often yield better and more specific results.
Learning journals let people share in their insights about a process or a product in written form. Writers can keep them daily, weekly or as needed during a set period of time. Some people write learning journals from a prompt, meaning they write from a given topic and address certain issues. More creative journals can go online allowing people to read them collectively. For younger people, learning journals give them writing practice and teach them how to write down their thoughts succinctly.