Evaluating Learning

How are Students Successful?

Student motivation is the second domain in the sixteen principles of learning. If we take a close look, we will find the principle number five stating:

"Success is a strong motivating force."

Reward & Reinforcement is the third domain of the sixteen principles of learning.  Upon taking a closer look, we will find in statement seven that:

"When students have knowledge of their learning progress, 

performance will be superior to what it would

 have been without such knowledge."

Why pull these two specific principles of learning out?  Because they address key factors that justify why student assessment is essential in education.  As an agricultural educator, evaluation of learning is a significant part of the job.  Therefore, we are obligated to provide accurate assessments of our students to depict student performance.  But not only are we obligated to, it is a valuable tool for motivating students through success, and providing knowledge of learning progress (Domains 1 & 2).  

From this week's reading, there was one  point that really stood out to me and served as a good reminder while developing lesson plans for my student teaching experience.  This involved ELL and IEP students.  When developing student assessment, I need to keep in mind that inflating grades (not accurately assessing student achievement) or assessing students on material that is not appropriate to their skill level, actually decreases student motivation.  For this reason it is important to make sure that assessment methods for exceptional students measure their achievement in accordance with individual skill level, rather than the student's achievement compared to lesson objectives.