1.1 Explain the function of assessment in learning and development.
Good assessment is a fundamental part of teaching and learning. Assessment provides feedback to teachers and learners about progress, understanding and achievement. Assessment falls into 3 categories; initial, formative and summative. Initial assessment is completed at the start of the learner's course. Initial assessment provides information needed to decide on the learner's starting point and enables the assessor to ensure the learner is enrolled on the correct course. Initial assessments also work as a benchmark from which learner's progress and achievement can be measured.
Formative assessments take place throughout the course and are a means of checking learning and development. These forms of assessment may not be formal or make up part of the qualification but maybe used as a guide for the teacher or assessor to gauge the learners current understanding of the topic covered. Formative assessments can take many forms from a question and answer session, discussions, or even a written test.
Summative assessments take place at the end of a course and are used as a means to check learning has happened. A true summative assessment would be a GCSE or A Level exam at the end of a two year study period for example. Any assessment which covers the full criteria of the module or course studied would be classed as a form of summative assessment.
1.2 Define the key concepts and principles of assessment Assessment takes place for a variety of reasons; for grading, selection and progression, to find out if learning has taken place, to motivate and encourage learners. When looking at the principles of assessment the assessor needs to consider the following when designing and carrying out assessments; fairness, reliability, validity and manageability.
Fairness; It is important that all