Constructivists
view assessment as a process that involves both the instructor and the
student. Educators who prefer to use constructivist methods and
principles in evaluating student work have several different avenues to
choose from that can help enhance the learning experience of students.
Similarities between constructivist and traditional methods of
assessment do exist. Even though constructivists continue to research
and experiment with more interactive, experience based assessments, the
more traditional methods still prevail and are being used in classrooms
as the predominant means of assessment.
Principles of Assessment in a Constructivist Classroom
One
principle of assessment in a constructivist classroom is not to isolate
evaluation as a single exercise. Constructivists often see learning as a
cyclical process. Since the shape of a circle has no beginning and no
end, then the mark of where to assess could become blurry.
Constructivists do not see assessment as an ending activity, but rather
an ongoing process that helps the student continue to learn.
They
isolated “Five Es" of constructivism: Engage, Explore, Explain,
Elaborate, and Evaluate. Not only is assessment its own category
(evaluate), but it is also interwoven throughout each of the other
stages of the learning process.
- · For example, when a teacher is engaging students in a learning opportunity, the instructor begins to question. The process of questioning not only interests students in a topic, but also gives the instructor an idea of the amount of prior knowledge a learner will bring to the experience.
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