Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs)

Assessment Strategies for Student Learning.

Formative assessment - In-class; takes the pulse of the class; not high stakes; helps students learn or helps students reinforce what they have learned

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

Target topic(s)

searching the library catalog
orient to basic web search
orient on boolean operators

B. 1000 Level Misconception

Target topic(s)

introduction to library catalog  - conceptual

C. Categorizing Grid

Target topic(s)

develop understanding of the organization of knowledge
help develop skills in selecting tools for research

D. Checking for Understanding

Target topic(s)

applicable to any topic instructor wants

E. General Questions

Target topic(s)

class evaluation - most useful if doing 2 or more sessions

F. Grouping Sources of Information

Target topic(s)

understanding what different sources offer (e.g., Encyclopedias vs articles)

G. How to find a scholarly article

Target topic(s)

searching databases and catalog
using citation management tool

H. Minute Paper

Target topic(s)

concept evaluation tool - all topics
baseline info to start class - all topics

I. Evaluating Sources Checklist & Summary

Target topic(s)

evaluating sources - checklist
summarizing information concisely

J. Paraphrasing Boolean operators

Target topic(s)

overview on boolean operators
overview on truncation

K. Pre-Post Class Quiz

Target topic(s)

applicable to various topics covered in class (e.g., peer review; reading citations, etc.,)

L. Scholarly Popular Categorization

Target topic(s)

understanding differences in scholarly and popular materials

M. Working with a Topic

Target topic(s)

construct searchable question
identify subject headings
narrow down research