Assessment


A topic in teaching science


Assessment is usually considered as something that follows teaching, but there are various forms of assessment which can inform different phases of the teaching process.

This is summarised in the figure below.

Forms of assessment

Formative assessment is sometimes called assessment for learning, as opposed to assessemnt of learning (summative assessment). Diagnostic assessment might be considered assessment for teaching as it can inform teachers of learners' thinking (such as alternative conceptions that might impede the learning of target knowledge).

Read more about diagnostic assessment