Strengths and Limitations of Assessment Methods - Essay Example

Group discussions can engage and motivate the majority of students but some learners might feel left out. Multiple-choice exams provide opportunities for learners to receive immediate feedback and results but do not provide them with opportunities to elaborate on concepts. Essays, on the other hand, provide learners with opportunities to explore their ideas and elaborate on concepts relating to the subject but are difficult to assess. Some assessment methods, like role-plays, can be “holistic” and help you assess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of your learners but some learners can be inhibited by their nerves.

Given the above strengths and weaknesses of different assessment methods, it is important for an instructor or a teacher to consider individual learner needs. For instance, it is very essential that any initial assessment procedure is done in the context of recognizing a learner’s aspirations as well as learning goals. A teacher can discuss with an individual learner on whether he or she has any particular area of difficulty or strength. When doing this, a teacher ought to be aware that most learners need confidential settings to carry out these discussions.

Often, when using a particular assessment method, a teacher should consider the past approaches that effectively worked with an individual learner. This will help the teacher to promote a positive attitude by ensuring that an appropriate method is applicable to the learner (Ecclestone K, 1994). In colleges or schools where there is a special curriculum support department, the staff from both the vocational support sectors should work in unison to devise the assessment procedure, such as activities, test, and materials to be included It is better for a learning support specialist to corporate with the subject instructor in analyzing assessments, aiming at identifying if an individual learner has difficulties in learning, since these specialist have essential qualifications, training, and experience to recognize early warning signs (Duckett M, 2005).

An individual leaner’s extra support needs may be unique in one way or another. It might be great for a leaner to be given one-to-one support with an instructor in a class setting, outside the class, or in a workshop setting. The support program ought to be tailored to meet personal curriculum needs, to help him develop techniques to learn smoothly and achieve his full potential (Duckett M, 2005).