Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
10
Assessment
Abstract
Assessment is one of the most common tasks teachers perform from the early
stages of their professional development. This chapter highlights the uniqueness
of learners' assessment in the case of computer science education, emphasiz-
ing that assessment is not a target by itself, but rather, a pedagogical means by
which (a) teachers improve their understanding of the current knowledge of their
learners and (b) learners get feedback related to their own understanding of the
learned subjects. The chapter also delivers the message that the theme of assess-
ment can be discussed in the Methods of Teaching Computer Science (MTCS)
course in different opportunities, for example, learners' alternative conceptions,
project-based learning, and types of questions. This chapter focuses on tests,
peer assessment, project evaluation, and the use of portfolio in computer science
education. We end this chapter by addressing the assessment of the students en-
rolled in the MTCS course.
10.1
Introduction
Assessment is one of the most common tasks teachers perform from the early stages
of their professional development. Therefore, and in order to highlight the unique-
ness of learners' assessment in the case of computer science (CS) education, the
topic should be included and addressed in the Methods of Teaching Computer Sci-
ence (MTCS) course.
Assessment and grading are not the same. The goal of grading is usually to eval-
uate individual knowledge and performance; nevertheless, grading does not always
measure reliably the learning process and the learner improvement. The goal of as-
sessment is to improve student learning; it can include many ungraded measures of
student understanding and can be used also to improve educational practices.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search