Nobody but you know your strength and weaknesses. Adult learners usually know what they want to learn.
I agree that adult learners are goal oriented. I have two approaches to the self assessment process. The first thing I do is look at where the students are as a group and the progress they are all making in the course. On the whiteboard, I use the analogy of the "Mall map" which uses an arrow that reads, 'You are here', which gives you a sense of direction. I have the objectives for the unit we are studying on the board, along with the skills we are learning, or have completed, and it's fun to see them place their 'we are here' arrow on the course's "path of progress". It is a graphic way to show the group how far they have come and it also is empowering for them, since some students enter the course with some trepidation......and when they see their progress as a group I think it's uplifting. The second aspect of this self-assessment process is a 1:1 meeting where the student and I discuss their progress. The student provides their insight and I give mine. At the conclusion of the meeting, strategies are offered by both parties so that progress can continue to be made.
Hi Heather, I love the "Mall Map" idea! Thanks for sharing.
Susan Polick
Self-assessments enable a student to really look at what they have achieved and see where they can improve their methods. Honestly looking at one's performance is a way to strengthen their weaknesses.
I believe when working in a career with patients it is tremendously important to be able to self-assess. These students must learn to question themselves, "Am I providing the BEST care for my patients?" Our students perform a self-assessment at the end of each term in regards to verbal communication, knowledge, skill and written documentation. I believe that tasks like this encourage students to be accountable for their performance and gives them motivation to do better.
Hi Jessica, Thanks for your post to the forum. Those are the skills employers tell us they are looking for. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Student self-assessments are important to the student because it can track the level of learning that a student accomplishes and helps them to determine their weak and strong aspects.
I agree teaching at a technical school students are goal related. Keeping up with their progress is important to their motivation.
Self-assessment is vital to student success in the real world. Students need to be able to objectively evaluate themselves if they are to become active learners/lifelong learners. If they are unable to assess their own performance, how would they be able to receive and apply criticism? Without self reflection, how will they know their own intrinsic value/value to a team/value to their community if they don’t stop to consider what that is? As mentioned in the content of this course, my institution requires students to set objectives for their practicum along with keeping a journal.
I agree, self-assessments can serve as positive reinforcements or reality checks for students. They will have a general idea of what information they are retaining and what information continues to escape their memory banks.
A student can honestly evaluate themselves and from that point they will have an understanding of why certain material may require additional time. We know ourselves better than anyone else!
It can help student to evaluate her or his knowledge and encouragement for doing better without shame for making a mistake.
Allowing students to take the time to assess themselves is very important. The self-assessment process will allow students to understand just what type of a student they are. This assessment will help them improve in areas they may currently be lacking in.
I like to give students reflection time in order to respond in writing regarding what they have unlearned and what they have replaced it with (new habits/learning)at the beginning of their writing course both in Week 1 and again in Week 9.
This allows students to provide us with what the students realizes are their strengths and weaknesses. In doing so we can then be a more effective teacher/ instructor by being able to adapt to the positives and negatives skill levels of our students and help reinforce the strenghts and then build upon the weaknesses by implementing tasks that will require them to utilize their weaknesses.
It gives the students a chance to learn their strengths and weaknesses in that particular subject.
Hi Susan,
The actual practice of students transferring knowledge to real-world applications is always helpful in a career college setting. After reviewing basic principles and concepts in lecture, students are expected to understand the subject matter as it relates to each unit. Incorporating an activity to match real-world experiences with these guiding principles, would provide students an opportunity to not only practice, but assess their own working knowledge of the subject matter.
~ Nicole
In Career College setting the self-assessment can help the student evaluate themselves.
Self assessment is something I just started using. When a massage student works on another student "client" they receive both positive feedback as well as something they need to work on. I have now included the therapist to assess their abilities and get feedback from their client as to what they thought about the therapist's assessment of themselves. I think this allows the therapist to see how the client perceives the therapist assessment of themselves. Sometimes it is close to the same and sometimes it is a lot different.
Students can utilize self assessments as learning tools by observing other students and different instructors in order to see themselves at a different level.
