3.1.1

Research on Assessments

Test yourself

Research on Assessment Methods

According to Rob Coe (2017), assessment is a field with lots of very good research. However, some questions are still unanswered, especially related to practical implications.

Illustrative background for Cognitive science and testingIllustrative background for Cognitive science and testing ?? "content

Cognitive science and testing

  • Recalling knowledge, also referred to as ‘retrieval’ or ‘retrieval practice’, stimulates the neurological connections involved in storing that knowledge.
  • Retrieving that knowledge in a variety of contexts creates new mental pathways and supports long-term learning.
  • Well-made assessments can be a form of retrieval practice and also improve long-term learning.
Illustrative background for Examples of assessmentIllustrative background for Examples of assessment ?? "content

Examples of assessment

  • Direct verbal questioning.
  • Self-questioning.
  • Writing notes from memory.
  • Using flashcards.
  • Writing essays.
  • Group discussion.
Illustrative background for Interleaving and AfLIllustrative background for Interleaving and AfL ?? "content

Interleaving and AfL

  • Interleaving refers to sequencing learning tasks so that similar items are interspersed with different types of items, rather than being consecutive.
    • E.g. if the first topic covered (1) were interleaved with the second (2) and third (3) topics, instead of block-assessing students in a sequence of 1, 2, 3 over a period of time, students would be assessed in an interleaved way (123, 123, 123).
Illustrative background for Time to forgetIllustrative background for Time to forget ?? "content

Time to forget

  • In linear teaching, interleaving may involve spaced retrieval practice. This means including time delays between learning and retrieval practice to give students ‘time to forget’.
  • During and after teaching a topic (3), knowledge from previous topics (1,2) should be assessed, thus requiring students to retrieve previous knowledge. So, interleaved and spaced retrieval would result in a staggered approach to learning and retrieval (1, 12, 123).
  • Multiple assessment methods should be used.

Jump to other topics

1Introduction to Assessment

2Feedback

2.1Feedback

3Assessment Methods

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium