Assessment Strategies for Student Learning.
Summative assessment - takes place at the end of the course; usually graded and therefore high stakes.
Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs for short)
- in-class exercises that helps instructors teach or reinforce a concept in class
- collects feedback during class
- provides gauge for instructors on what students have learned in class (met learning outcomes). Indirectly, it helps us reflect on our teaching strategies and strengthen our teaching skills.
- for single-session classes, CATs can serve both as formative and/or summative assessments (for that session).
- CATs are useful active learning exercises appropriate for single- or multi-sessions classes.
Classroom Assessment Techniques
Contains detailed instructions for a variety of CATs for use in the class. Each link contains the activity and a lesson plan to guide the usage of the CAT in your classroom.
A. Background Knowledge Probe
DetailsTarget Topic(s)
orient to basic web search
orient on boolean operators
Class Type
single-session
Prep Time
print worksheet
B. 1000 Level Misconception
Details
Target Topic(s)
introduction to library catalog; conceptual
Class Type
single-session
C. Categorizing Grid
Details
Target Topic(s)
develop understanding of the organization of knowledge
help develop skills in selecting tools for research
Class Level
1000, 2000, 3000
Class Type
single-session
Prep Time
some, print exercise
D. Checking for Understanding
Details
Target Topic(s)
applicable to any topic instructor wants
Class Level
all, incl. Grads
Class Type
single-session
multi-session
semester
Class Time
6 mins plus discussion
E. General Questions
Details
Target Topic(s)
class evaluation - most useful if doing 2 or more sessions
Class Level
all, incl. Grads
Class Type
single-session
multi-session
Prep Time
print questions
F. Grouping Sources of Information
Details
Target Topic(s)
understanding what different sources offer (e.g., Encyclopedias vs articles)
Class Type
single-session
Prep Time
print worksheet
Class Time
full class outline
G. How to find a scholarly article
Details
Target Topic(s)
searching databases and catalog
using citation management tool
Class Level
all, incl. Grads
Class Type
single-session
multi-session
Prep Time
print worksheet
Class Time
full class outline
H. Minute Paper
Details
Target Topic(s)
concept evaluation tool - all topics
baseline info to start class - all topics
Class Level
all UG levels
Class Type
single-session
multi-session
semester
Prep Time
decide which option
Class Time
2 mins; 12-18 mins
depends on which outline chosen
I. Evaluating Sources Checklist & Summary
Details
Target Topic(s)
evaluating sources - checklist
summarizing information concisely
Class Type
single-session
multi-session
Class Time
class demo and exercise
J. Paraphrasing Boolean operators
Details
Target Topic(s)
overview on boolean operators
overview on truncation
Class Type
single-session
K. Pre-Post Class Quiz
Details
Target Topic(s)
applicable to various topics covered in class (e.g., peer review; reading citations, etc.,)
Class Level
all levels, incl. Grads
Class Type
single-session
multi-session
Prep Time
print questions
Class Time
4 mins, 2 at start and 2 at end
L. Scholarly Popular Categorization
Details
Target Topic(s)
understanding differences in scholarly and popular materials
Class Type
single-session
multi-session
Prep Time
create questions, send to students in advance
Class Time
full class outline
M. Working with a Topic
Details
Target Topic(s)
construct searchable question
identify subject headings
narrow down research
Class Level
all UG levels
Class Time
in class exercise, demo
