Assessment in Education: A Fundamental Pillar of Learning

What is learning evaluation? If we ask a student he/she will probably say: tests, if we ask a teacher he/she might answer: that it is one of the most difficult aspects of teaching, for which you generally don't get paid the extra hours it requires, and for which I have received very little training! (Sánchez Mendiola,2020)

When we talk about education we cannot leave aside a topic that is of great relevance and deserves to be given the importance it requires, it is a topic that all of us who are part of the teaching and learning process must analyze and understand more deeply. It is not only a process in which we evaluate or give a grade to a student, evaluation is a fundamental part in the development and improvement of learning. In this blog, I will expose my point of view about the importance of assessment in education and why from my point of view assessing the continuous learning of our students is essential in the teaching and learning process.

By assessing we not only assign our students a grade, but assessment as a fundamental tool allows us educators to understand not only their progress but also identify areas for improvement and therefore adapt our methods, and our curriculum to achieve each student’s individual goals. In the evaluation we obtain a much clearer vision of the strengths and weaknesses of the students, this allows us to develop strategies so that the teaching process is much more effective.

Additionally, when a student is evaluated academically we are stimulating their responsibility and commitment. When they know they will be evaluated, they tend to participate more actively and study more consistently, which leads them to want to achieve their desired academic goals more strongly. The evaluation of course fosters a culture of effort and dedication in which the student is satisfied when he/she achieves it, not only academically but in the personal area as well.

A vital aspect of assessment is that it allows us to provide meaningful feedback to our students. Educators can tell them where they need to improve, or where they have mastered, and instruct them on how to improve. This constructive feedback in this case gives them the tools they need to keep in mind how they can improve their performance so they can set goals on their own that will lead to their academic development. 

In conclusion, assessment in education is a fundamental and necessary aspect of student development and success. When we are clear about its importance, we can recognize its value in driving student learning, fostering accountability, and providing valuable guidance in their academic development. So educators must advocate for assessment to have a more holistic focus that is much more than just a grade given to the student, but one that focuses on the true academic and personal progress and development of each individual.

References

Evaluacion del y para el Aprendizaje: instrumentos y estrategias. (2020). (n.p.): CODEIChttps://www.google.com.pa/books/edition/EVALUACI%C3%93N_del_y_para_EL_APRENDIZAJE_in/SYXZDwAAQBAJ?hl=es-419&gbpv=0