Self-Assessment

When I train teachers how to use self-assessment with their students, I show them how it can be applied in a variety of ways for several purposes. I teach them to use it as a tool to help students learn to study and to learn in general by focusing the questions on processes rather than results. In this way, the self-assessment exercise fulfills its most obvious goal by giving students an opportunity to reflect on their actions and take responsibility for them.  If designed correctly, it also teaches students what is expected of them and it teaches good study and learning habits.

I have used this technique in my classes over the years by asking questions such as:

What did you do with the feedback your teacher gave you for Learning Log 1?

1. I read it carefully and have thought about how to use it to write further Learning Logs
2. I looked at it quickly
3. The teacher gave me feedback?

and,

How useful have the objectives set for this course been for you?

1. I have practically made them my own personal objectives for this module
2. I read them and they seem logical
3. This course has objectives?

and,

I know that I am a better teacher than before because:

1. I have been constantly reflecting on the learning going on in my classes and have tried new ways of improving it
2. My supervisor(s) and fellow teacher(s) have commented on how I have improved
3. I feel that I am doing a better job than before
4. I have received favorable feedback and grades from the TEFL teacher(s)
5. I am close to getting a TEFL certificate!

This usually evokes positive reactions from students, and I have always imagined that by giving them tips regarding expected behaviors, it helps them learn better too.

So, for the last course I taught, I decided that it was time to get some evidence so I wouldn't have to imagine any longer that my self-assessment tool had the desired effect.

I had students do a self-assessment exercise at the mid-point of a 7-week module and again on the last day of the module. After giving it the first time, I posted it on the digital platform for students to see and use as a reference.  Students had to rate their own individual performance in each category on a scale of 0 (not fulfilled at all) to 4 (fulfilled completely) on such questions as:

• I have looked over some of the sites posted in the UCG Diigo group _____
• I have taken initiative to contribute to group tasks _____
• I have been in contact with the teacher when necessary _____
• I have fulfilled the objectives of the 3 weeks of study _____

Then students were asked to rate their group performance using the same scale on such questions as:

• our group has a wiki that has been worked on and built up little by little _____
• our group is learning to collaborate _____
• our group has been in constant contact to fulfill assignments _____
• our group has a functioning set of rules _____
• our group's vision of 21st Century education is quite developed and reflects a conscientious effort to understand the concepts presented in the course _____

Adding the scores from the individual and group categories gives a good idea of self-perception of effort made to fulfill the goals of the class.

The results demonstrate progress by the end of the course, progress that was reflected in a perceived increase in quality of student work, both individually and in groups.

	High	Low	Average
Individual Change	208%	-17%	36%
Group Change	238%	-26%	34%
Average Total Change			29%

Of course, this does not provide evidence that the improvement in both individual and group performance by the end of the course can be attributed to the self-assessment exercise. It could very well be due to looming deadlines and good old fashioned desire to pass the course, which motivates increased action as the end of the module nears.

I would like to think that providing students with an opportunity to reflect on effort and how it is directed at the mid-point of the module, and posting the document during the rest of the module contributed at least partially to the average total change above. Knowing this with more precision would allow me to improve the design of my self-assessment exercises to more effectively contribute to better student performance, both in process and product.