Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment is collecting data on learners. Evaluation is using the data to make informed instructional decisions about learners (Harris & Hodges, 1995). In good teaching, they go hand in hand. Assessment and evaluation are first and foremost helpful for the individual learners and must be used in informing instruction; if the data is not evaluated and applied to the classroom, there is little reason to assess. The careful and thoughtful communication of information from assessment and evaluation is a critical part of the process. Students that are involved in the evaluation process are more likely to take ownership for their performance and can therefore apply the results to their own learning.