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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

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

B. 1000 Level Misconception

introduction to library catalog - conceptual

C. Categorizing Grid

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

D. Checking for Understanding

applicable to any topic instructor wants

E. General Questions

class evaluation - most useful if doing 2 or more sessions

F. Grouping Sources of Information

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