Explain The Function of Assessment in Learning and Development

Assessment is the process by which it evaluates a participant in education has developed their knowledge, understanding and skill sets. This process helps to make a specific educational decision of progress level of a participant through their learning period. Initial Assessment: Initial assessment takes place at the time of admission for a course. Initial assessment is the process which detects learners’ needs and can determines for different milestones for progress. Initial assessment is required to develop an individual learning plan (ILP) for a learner. Initial assessment allows assessor to make a bench mark for the learner and get access to the necessary learner’s information that assists assessor to identify the learner’s strength, weakness and preferred learning style. The initial assessment is the platform from where an assessor starts making a plan for reviews to assess the learner’s progress. Initial assessment also allows the learner the scope to inform others about themselves, to show their ability to make choices and express preferences regarding the learning outcome, to recognise learning goals. With a thorough initial assessment the learning programme meet the needs of the individual and an initial assessment highlight the areas of concern or unsuitability.

Formative assessment: Formative assessment is a range of procedures which occurs during the learning process to allow the amendment of both teaching and learning activities in order to enhance the learning process as required. The uses of formative assessment are to provide feedback to assessors to modify future learning activities, to identify and remedy individual deficiencies, to improve the student’s awareness of the “learning process”. Formative assessment for learning is the assessment that takes place throughout a course or programme of study and is usually carried out by assessors during teaching and training. It provides feedback to both the learner and the assessor on how things are going and how learning can be improved. Summative assessment: Summative assessment is assessment of learning and is use to determine what have been learnt or achieved in terms of acquired skills, knowledge and understanding at or towards the end of a programme of study.

Summative assessment evaluates a learner’s development at a specific point at the end of the learning process and provides a summary of their current level, if required, allowing them to be graded accordingly. This can be conducted, for example, by various ways of multi-choice exam, written paper, dissertation, presentation or portfolio. Functions of assessment in learning and development are the measurements and records of achievement. These identifies that the assessment reflects the required standards and performance/assessment criteria and are fit for the purpose and contribute to the quality assurance and the development of best practice. Both formative and summative assessments play a significant part in the learning experience as it determines progression and enables learners to demonstrate that they have achieved their desired learning outcomes.