Anne Watson on Teachers as Informal Assessors - Essay Example

The main finding is this: teachers – even those who have trained in informal assessment - tend to forget about professionalism in dispensing judgments and decisions during informal assessments.  First and foremost, the article is useful to me as a math teacher because it identifies the components and practices involved in informal assessment, specifically for students who study mathematics. Included in this identification of components are criticisms on traditional, as well as new, approaches to evaluation practices.

Of particular significance is the perspective provided with regards to the teacher prejudices which are often overlooked. This was identified because Watson’s perspective was detached as the author played the role of the researcher observing and evaluating the teachers she studied. A list of these prejudices and an understanding of each one could enable me to avoid them as much as possible. Also, it will allow me to understand the dynamics behind these prejudices or sets of values. Watson explained that teachers’ decisions are influenced by a number of variables.

For example, there are differences in how normal or abnormal are viewed; generalisability of illustrative incidents, sense of power, time and place, interpretation of questions and answers, assumptions of shred understanding, and so on (p. 73). So when prejudice is identified, it does not necessarily mean that it is conscious or that it is the teacher’s fault. These things are important to me to be able to inform on decisions and judgments. As I acquire a broader perspective based on this knowledge, I am able to use approaches and practices that are consistent with my objectives and standards of practice.

The list can also allow me to be able to identify a mix of components and practices that I could use, tailored according to my needs and those of my students. Several frameworks were offered and I found that I could use some of them, even modify or integrate them all together. For example, the procedure for systematic observation practice was outlined.