EDRD 7717: M2: Informal Assessment: Text Opitz Ch. 5/6 v. Article Analysis

Both the Opitz text and the article I read discuss the importance and effectiveness of informal assessment.  What stuck out to me the most from the Opitz text was the amount of information about observation as a form of informal assessment.  In my classroom I do a lot of conferring and when I am not working with students I just sit and observe. I think, like the text states, that observation is a wonderful technique for collecting data on your students.  I also like that there are so many ways to use observation as an informal assessment.  I typically assess their behavior as well as their stamina/attitude via observation.

When discussing observation as a form of informal assessment I found a part of the article that described informal assessment as “a way in which teachers can collect data over time to piece together a student’s true understanding” (Ruiz-Primo, 2011, p.1).  When taking observations you can observe a student over a period of time to measure growth, change, and success.

Because there are so many forms of informal assessments, students and teachers can both use these assessments to help the student succeed (Ruiz-Primo, 2011).  The Opitz text gave a large list of ways a teacher can informally assess students, all of which include just working with the student to see where they are at.  When teachers take a step back and look to see where the students are strong or weak they are gaining insight into the mind of that student and are able to choose that correct form of assessment to give that student.

With that being said, sadly, standardized tests are still required in most schools.  These tests are typically used to see what students know on the basic comprehension level.  So although there is no escaping these assessments, there are ways that teachers can collect data informally so that a student can demonstrate his/her knowledge in a variety of ways.  As the Opitz text states there are so many types of assessments.  My personal opinion and input is that teacher-made tests are the most successful in the classroom.  I think this to be true because teachers are typically the ones with their students the most and so she is able to  see what each student needs in order to be a successful student.  The teacher also has the opportunity to choose what can be on the test so that it is more individualized and available for each student.

Both the text and the article I researched discussed the importance and successes of informal assessment in the classroom.  Both texts seem to have the same general idea and merged on many of the same topics and ideas. Informal assessment is a great way in which students and teachers can both see the success and feel the success in the classroom.

Article:

Ruiz-Primo, M. (2011). Informal Formative Assessment: The Role of Instructional Dialogues in Assessing Students’ Learning. Studies In Educational Evaluation, 37(1), 15-24.