Comments on: The right approach to assessment? http://blog.ontheup.org/2008/04/22/the-right-approach-to-assessment/ Raising Aspirations & Recognising Progress Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:59:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: mas http://blog.ontheup.org/2008/04/22/the-right-approach-to-assessment/#comment-3 mas Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:39:31 +0000 http://blog.ontheup.org/?p=15#comment-3 Hi Hilary - you're definitely correct about the feeling of having to reach the end of the line or get to the top - we see this in some of the exercises we do on our training. I had thought about the circular type assessment but yes really its just the same except theres more than one line to get to the endpoint. I think we need perhaps need to move away from scoring & assessment somehow and regard progress as new things learned/discovered/considered and perhaps rather than providing feedback by measure of scales we look instead to compare what peoples anticipated benefits were for activities against what they feel they actually gained. Ana & Kate have provoked some good discussions at the moment about creative ways of approaching this and I'm going to give it lot of thought over the next few days. Unfortunately my internet connection is being temperamental at the mo but when it behaves itself I'll also change this really pale grey font that I can hardly read for the comments! Hi Hilary - you’re definitely correct about the feeling of having to reach the end of the line or get to the top - we see this in some of the exercises we do on our training.

I had thought about the circular type assessment but yes really its just the same except theres more than one line to get to the endpoint. I think we need perhaps need to move away from scoring & assessment somehow and regard progress as new things learned/discovered/considered and perhaps rather than providing feedback by measure of scales we look instead to compare what peoples anticipated benefits were for activities against what they feel they actually gained.

Ana & Kate have provoked some good discussions at the moment about creative ways of approaching this and I’m going to give it lot of thought over the next few days.

Unfortunately my internet connection is being temperamental at the mo but when it behaves itself I’ll also change this really pale grey font that I can hardly read for the comments!

]]> By: Hilary http://blog.ontheup.org/2008/04/22/the-right-approach-to-assessment/#comment-2 Hilary Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:33:34 +0000 http://blog.ontheup.org/?p=15#comment-2 Hi Mike I've just been reflecting on this. Do you need a score? Are you measuring numerically? The area I'd be interested in is around the distance travelled. If this is based on individuals perceptions then there surely is no right or wrong and at any given moment someone could be either in a neutral place feeling they haven't moved, feel that they're less competent or more competent in their learning of a specific soft skill. Are you using a sort of linear approach? This sometimes gives the impression that to improve or be better you have to reach the end of the line. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the APIR used by Personal Advisors with Connexions (can't remember at this moment in time what the initials stand for). This is a wheel and young people move about on the wheel. It doesn't entirely get away from reaching an 'end point' but may be a different way of looking at things. It is difficult to eliminate the need to compare as I think that comes automatically. As with many things it is often the way in which they are implemented or supported to be used that becomes the key and prevents the competitive element. Or if there are a number of variations all positive (i'm thinking in particular of the Myers Briggs Personality testing which endeavours to highlght all +s and -s in all areas.) ENough musings for now - enjoying the conversation though! Hi Mike

I’ve just been reflecting on this. Do you need a score? Are you measuring numerically? The area I’d be interested in is around the distance travelled. If this is based on individuals perceptions then there surely is no right or wrong and at any given moment someone could be either in a neutral place feeling they haven’t moved, feel that they’re less competent or more competent in their learning of a specific soft skill.

Are you using a sort of linear approach? This sometimes gives the impression that to improve or be better you have to reach the end of the line. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the APIR used by Personal Advisors with Connexions (can’t remember at this moment in time what the initials stand for). This is a wheel and young people move about on the wheel. It doesn’t entirely get away from reaching an ‘end point’ but may be a different way of looking at things.

It is difficult to eliminate the need to compare as I think that comes automatically. As with many things it is often the way in which they are implemented or supported to be used that becomes the key and prevents the competitive element. Or if there are a number of variations all positive (i’m thinking in particular of the Myers Briggs Personality testing which endeavours to highlght all +s and -s in all areas.)

ENough musings for now - enjoying the conversation though!

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