Assessment in my classroom.

This morning, we have been discussing assessment, what it is, and how we can add assessment to our lessons.  Do we use technology to assess, or within our lessons, or both?  From the readings, we agree that some learning happens "by accident" and the rest if by trial and error, with problem-solving skills needed.  

Assessment need to be ongoing, and fluid.  I need to look for what they have learned (recall,) what they understand, can they share their learning with others, are they exploring the ideas, (going beyond the basics we tell them,) and can they create something that shows their learning along the way and their new understanding of the concepts.  

Assessment shouldn't be an interruption of learning, but should be a tool that will help to influence the learning and work of the students in the future.  

Keeping this in mind, I already try to incorporate the different aspects into my assessment, when I can.  For example, in math, I want students to show their work and explain how they work to solve problems.  I also use projects in science and social studies as an end of unit assignment, but the students are working on them throughout the time we are working on the units in class.  They have a criteria and rubric before the assignment, and part of the project is displaying a model, or having a slideshow to present (depending on the choice they make, or the content we are covering.)  Along with that, they must have a write up that tells what they learned, why they chose this particular topic/region/animal/habitat, etc.  They also have to tell how they've created the object, and what they learned in the process of creating the project, and during the unit of study in class.  Students have to share this orally in front of the class, too, as part of their oral language learning and this is also assessed.   When students get feedback, I include a score, but also a copy of the rubric that is highlighted for their project, a summary of what was done well, and suggestions for ways to improve/ things to consider on future projects.

Bringing it back to this year, and ideas for my classroom; I'm thinking that it may work to have my students create a wiki with their own blog page, too, and have them add information to it that track their learning.    Specifically, I'm thinking of having math vocabulary words posted, and then assigning the students the task of explaining what the terms mean, in their own words.   They could add examples to help explain things if they like, or drawings, etc.   I'm exploring more ideas, but I like to allow the students to show their learning in ways that work for them, and that they will revisit and be proud of.