Categorization of educational assessment

There are several types of educational assessment, the most common categories are based on: 

1. the learning process, including pre-assessemnt, formative assessment, diagnostic assessment and summative assessment. 
2. the evaluating group, including teachers' assessment and students' assessment. 
3. the learning outcome, including the assessment of levels of acquired knowledge, and competencies assessment. 

1. Categories of assessment based on the process

Formative assessment

• is an assessment for learning.
• helps teacher & student to understand what they already know and how they learn. 
• assess the students' progress in the classroom. 
• format --> quizzes, games, projects, presentations, discussions. 

Summative assessment

• is an assessment of learning.
• helps teacher & student to understand what they have learnt. 
• assesses the student's learning outcome at the end of the program.
• format --> final exams, reports, papers, end-of-the class projects, open discussions. 

2. Categories of assessment based on the valuation group

Teachers' assessment

• when the evaluating group of the learning process is the teachers.
• is mainly linked with more traditional learning styles. 

Students' assessment

• when the evaluating group of the learning process is the students.
• is mainly linked with student-based learning and transformative learning methodologies. 
• indicative formats: self-assessment // co-assessment // group assessment.

Self assessment

Self assessment mainly refers to the method of evaluation & pedagogical process where the learner participates in the learning process actively, tries to make sense of their own experience and judges the outcomes of their learning process.

Peer Assessment

Peer assessment refers to the method of evaluation in which a group of individuals (at least 2) rate each others performances. Peer assessment helps the students to be responsible, and to get insight in the criteria that determine the learning process.

Co-assessment 

Co-assessment or collaborative assessment, is a method of evaluation in which both learners and educators participate in the assessment. It is not necessary for the student to rate themselves, but mainly to participate in the process, making a common sense with the educator over the learning process. 

3. Categories of assessment based on the evaluating outcome 

Traditional knowledge assessment 

> Evaluates the knowledge which is measured against a standard knowledge base. 

> Learning goals are based on the age of student. 

> The learning outcomes that are being assessed consist of memorization and comprehension of content. 

Competency assessment

But first let's talk about competencies! 

Characteristics

> Evaluated how competent the individual is in applying that knowledge, and skills. 

> Learning goals are based on the needs of students. 

> The learning outcomes are being assessed based on understanding of the application of content to new situations.