Explain the functions of assessment in learning and development

Initial Assessment Assessment is the means by which decisions are made on the competency of a learner. The tasks for assessment can take many forms and it is important the assessor is able to make a quality decision and that the judgement they make is fair and comparable to those of other assessors in similar situations. An initial assessment should take place between the learner and the assessor to establish how the learner will benefit from the process of assessment and to enable him/her to understand the criteria by which they are going to be assessed by. By carrying this out the assessor and the learner will be able to understand the learning that needs to take place and together plan the tasks the will demonstrate that the competency has been met. Without the initial assessment will be difficult for both the assessor and the learner to judge what learning has taken place and then make any necessary adjustments to either complete the competency or develop the learning from where it was met
Students come to the classroom with a broad range of pre-existing knowledge, skills, beliefs, and attitudes, which influence how they attend, interpret and organize in-coming information. How they process and integrate new information will, in turn, affect how they remember, think, apply, and create new knowledge. Since new knowledge and skill is dependent on pre-existing knowledge and skill, knowing what students know and can do when they come into the classroom or before they begin a new topic of study, can help us craft instructional activities that build off of student strengths and acknowledge and address their weaknesses.
Once prior knowledge and skill is assessed, there is a range of potential responses, depending upon the type of course, the uniformity of results, and the availability and type of supplemental materials and alternatives. For example, if a majority of the class possesses misconceptions or weak understanding of a concept that you viewed as a