There are many different types of tasks which can be used to assess student understanding, enrich student learning and provide direction for future instruction. These tasks include:
- practical activities
- playing or creating a game
- engaging in group discussion
- investigations
- working collaboratively to solve problems
- creating a virtual model
- providing a verbal or written explanation
- writing a solution in a pen-and-paper test.
Similar strategies can be used to assess learning at the end of a unit of work.
It is important to include a variety of activities which assess a broad range of levels of understanding. Summative assessment tasks should allow students to demonstrate the depth of their knowledge. Clear information about student progress and achievement helps shape more useful follow-up support.
