Assessment in the Work Place for Work-based Supervisors - Allin L & Turnock C (2007)

Table of Contents

1. ASSESSING STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN WORK-BASED LEARNING - Allin L & Turnock C (2007)
2. The Need for Assessment
3. Types of Assessment
   1. Formative Assessment
   2. Summative Assessment
   3. Criterion Assessment
   4. Performance Assessment
   5. The use of reviews and portfolios
   6. Learning contracts
4. When to use a Particular Assessment?
5. Giving Feedback
   1. Useful Tips
   2. Features of Positive Feedback
   3. Negative Feedback
   4. Written Feedback
6. Skills for Effective Assessment
7. Helping a Failing Student
   1. Failure in the submitted work
   2. Avoiding Intimidating Students
   3. Dealing with Non-improving Students
8. Conclusion
9. References

Features of Positive Feedback

According to Singh (2006), positive feedback needs to be:

1. Clear: Don't beat about the bush. If you think it was 'great' or 'excellent' or 'admirable' or 'very stimulating', then say so. Have the courage of your convictions. (Don't worry about using clichés!)
2. Specific: Words like 'great' or 'excellent' carry a strong emotional message, but when the emotional buzz fades, the intellectual hunger remains. As suggested above, say what, exactly what, was good and say why it was good.
3. Personal: That is, make the person you're giving feedback to feel acknowledged as an individual. This will get easier as you get to know your students. Using their name in the feedback helps: "Emma, I thought they way you handled this was both valid and original. I particularly liked the way you ....."
4. Honest: As well as truthful, honest good news clearly distinguishes between fact and judgement. A numerical answer is 'right'; this is a fact. A design was undertaken 'rigorously'; this is an opinion, though hopefully based on clear criteria for 'rigour'. An argument was 'original'; a fact, at any rate relative to your own current knowledge. An argument was 'elegant'; an opinion, or at any rate a judgement. Be clear what the nature of your good news is.

Positive feedback improves confidence, it feels good and increases motivation. It may help the receiver to have the confidence to deal with the more negative aspects of their performance.