One of the attractions of CPS assessment to many teachers is the ability to have their tests graded moments after the test-takers are finished. That instant feedback is a bonus for both the teacher and the student.

As students, we have probably all had a teacher or two who took so long to grade our homework or tests that by the time we got it back, we had forgotten that we even covered it.

As teachers, well...let's face it, we all envy the teacher that turns their grades shortly after finals are over, don't we?

So, we know that CPS assessment is great for summative assessment. However, one of the things that makes CPS such a versatile learning tool is its ability to be used with either formative assessment or summative assessment. Assessment in education has been used so much as a final demonstration of knowledge AKA Summative Assessment, that it is sometimes forgotten how much assessment can be (and should be) used throughout the daily progress of a unit.

Assessment that is designed to give feedback to students in the development of knowledge is Formative Assessment. Formative assessment can be thought of as "taking the temperature" of your class. This "temperature" then drives the direction of your teaching. Varying assessment modalities can be used throughout a unit to constantly monitor the "temperature" of your class. Without the fear of extensive grading, more frequent assessment techniques can be used.

Evaluator Robert Stake described the difference in formative and summative assessment as this: "When the cook tastes the soup, that’s formative; when the guests taste the soup, that’s summative."

Four different CPS assessment modes are offered, allowing for a variety of assessment opportunities throughout a unit. These CPS assessment modes are described below.

1) Teacher-Led Assessment

Teacher-Led Assessment is the quickest way to check for understanding. This type of assessment is led by the teacher through the CPS software and the type used mostly during group discussions as a check for understanding.

Uses:

• Check for understanding during discussion
• Pre- and post-tests

2) Student-Managed Assessment

Student-Managed Assessment allows students to complete questions one at a time at their own pace. Questions are read from an outside source, such as paper, overhead, the chalkboard, etc.

Uses:

• Unit tests
• Periodic quizzes
• Surveys
• Lab checks

3) Student-Managed Practice

Student-Managed Practice works much the same as Student-Managed Assessment. However, the student can attempt the question as many times as necessary, but the software will not advance to the next question until the correct answer has been given. The Question Grid Export on the Reports menu will tell you how many attempts each student made on a particular question before getting it correct, but grades are calculated based on their first response.

Uses:

• Test review
• Quick check on a reading assignment
• Spot-check homework

4) Teacher-Led/Student-Managed

Teacher-Led/Student-Managed is used when the teacher manually walks through each question on the test, students entering their respone when prompted. This method will take a little longer to administer, but is the best way to eliminate testing confusion. Questions are also read from an outside source, such as paper, overhead, the chalkboard, etc.

Uses:

• Unit tests
• Periodic quizzes
• Surveys
• Lab checks

For specific CPS assessment ideas, browse our Teaching With Clickers page!