Determining Lesson Objectives According to Assessment

Decision-making in education is based on assessment; assessment determines performance. Teachers use formative and summative evaluations daily. Formative assessments provide students with up-to-date information about what they are already capable of doing and how they could fill any knowledge gaps (Kouh, 2019). Summative assessments addresses concerns about educational objectives, knowledge standards, indicators, and student assessment criteria (Kouh, 2019). Educational assessment is the process by which educators obtain proof of progress to inform decisions (Stiggins, 2018); it establishes the attainment of educational objectives (edutopia.org, 2008). The information gathered through assessments helps students better their craft: it helps with the teaching and learning decisions (Stiggins, 2014).

Students will perform better if learning objectives, instructions, and assessments are all in line. Lesson objectives are specific; they concern what students must learn; instructions ensure students understand the content, and assessments show how well they retain and apply the material. Teachers must therefore consider what they want the students to know to determine the lesson objectives that will be the basis for the assessment. At the beginning of lessons, teachers share learning objects with students using understandable language. Therefore, the teacher must ensure the assessment considers the learning objectives communicated to the students.

References

edutopia.org. (2008, July 15). Why is assessment important? Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/assessment-guide-importance

Stiggins, R. (2014, March 4). A new vision of excellence in assessment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHX2jnKNiyw&t=654s

Stiggins, R. (2018). Better assessments require better assessment literacy. Educational Leadership, 75(5), 18–19.