Testing is one of the more popular ways to assess student learning, especially students with higher ability. Teachers can put tests together in a variety of ways including multiple choice, essay and true/false and should develop test questions to get the results they want. Questions should not allow students to simply recant information but rather force them to think and process the information they learned. Written portions of tests allow students to expound on questions--rather than just explaining something, they can create an argument, defend a position and analyze information.
Before beginning teaching a course, educators should prepare a list of actionable goals and objectives they want students to meet by the end of the semester. Teachers then rank each of these goals on a numbered scale to determine how the students perform in each of these areas. Teachers can quickly determine where students struggle by seeing what areas show up as the lowest as well as where students excel by seeing what areas show up as the highest. Teachers can also give students a similar survey for them to complete. This asks the student for an overall assessment of the course and the teacher. These types of assessments allow for teachers to recognize the coursework that does not reach students effectively. Surveys can also feature portions to add comments.
Portfolio development allows students to assemble all of their assignments and projects in one place from the beginning to the end of the course period, which show their progress by applying the skills learned throughout a course. For high-ability learners, portfolios show their growth, decision-making skills in what to include in the portfolio and self-assessment that gives their impressions of the quality of their own work. Portfolios work best for creative courses such as the arts and writing while boosting individualized learning. Teachers should work with students to help them develop goals for their final project, oversee the planning process and work with them on implementation. Students can also use portfolios in an internship or job search.
Learning journals allow students to reflect on what they learn throughout the semester by frequently writing about the educational process. Learning journals give students the opportunity to write about what they struggle with, what they enjoy learning most and where they believe the most work. Depending on the grade level, instructors can help students get started by giving them questions, thoughts and issues they want students to address. Teachers can also let students start an Internet blog to simulate the same thing. Blogs also allow other students to read what their colleagues think. Learning journals also force high-ability learners to put their thoughts into writing, further developing their critical thinking skills as well as grammar, structure and vocabulary.