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
Details
Target 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