Get Your Students Hired
I personally feel that this is the time for the students to self-assess themselves, especially in the college setting. A new career life choice.
It allows the student to get involved in their education. rather then them just showing up and getting by. They will have more participation in how they take their classes
They can help students evaluate their standing in regards to the overall program and either see the progress they've made or understand other areas they need to improve.
Self assessment tools are ideal for getting an understanding and evaluation of ideas and information you already know. This allows you to concentrate on learning the new information. It also gives you confidence in what you have already mastered.
Adult learners are very goal oriented. They need to see their progress in the class and self evaluations are very helpful for them to keep their outcomes in site. They reach their goals better if they can see how they are coming along in their class.
In areas where skills are developed and trial and error are expected, self-assessment creates a scenario where the student is made to analyze their own performance against the needed outcome. The skills development can only occur when the student understands where they went wrong and how to correct it.
Hi Donna, 30 years ago, I returned to college as an adult student. I remember how challenging it was!
Susan Polick
They help the student understand how they learn. Most of my students have been away from formal classrooms,thus they need to develop their study habits all over again. They need to know how to take notes, if further reading is required for them to learn, etc. It is challenging when they first start and self-assessments give them positive feedback.
Hi Forrest, Yes, the self assessments tell students wher "they" are not where "we" have put them!
Susan Polick
I feel self assessments are great for students because they can look within themselves and see just how far they really have come!
Because self-assessments give a snapshot of where a student is at that moment, they're very effective in creating a self awareness that the student can then use to better make decisions for their education
Hi Eugene, Thanks for your post to the forum. It's especially valuable to have students articulate their goals at the start of their program and then review those goals when they have finished. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
It should help them develop a goal or objective they would like to reach throughout their education.
Hi Sara, Pre-tests serve as a road map to show us the direction we need to take with the class.
Susan Polick
Hi Angela, That's an excellent practice. It gives them personal feedback at regular intervals so that they can self-correct if required.
Susan Polick
As a massage therapy instructor, in some classes I give a pre-test. This will show what they have retained and what they need more work on. I love this method because it helps me, as well as the student, in determinig what my main focus should be on.
It forces the student to evaluate their own progress, to see where they have dropped the ball (if at all) in their own educational goals. It makes them take a step back and see if they are truly giving 100% and what areas they need to put more attention towards. I give my students self assessment forms every 3 weeks and it has always produced positive effects.
Hi Linda, Thanks for your post to the forum. For over 30 years I have taught mostly adult students and for the most part am inspired by their motivation! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
I agree, the adult student's set goals much higher at times that I have set for them. The adult motivation to learn is why self evaluation can be used as a helpful tool.