Informal Assessments Application Cards

1. Informal AssessmentsApplication Cards Bettina MatysiakPIDP 3104 November 7 2010

2. Introduction • What are “application cards”? • an informal assessment technique which allows instructors to assess learners’ ability to apply concepts, theories, principles, etc. • learners are asked apply a newly taught concept to a real world situation and record their answer on a card. • Instructors collect the cards and provide feedback to learners.

3. Introduction • Why use“application cards”? • learners consider what they have learned in the context of prior knowledge and make connections • Learners see a practical use for what they are studying • Learners receive feedback and guidance • Instructors have the opportunity to assess learners’ understanding of the material • Instructors can assess their instruction and ensure that it is effective and in good alignment • Instructors can assist learners having difficulty quickly

4. How to use Application Cards Taken from Application Cards (Assesses Skill in Application & Performance) CMU Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching • Identify concept to be applied • Ensure it is clear and easily applicable • Put it in writing • Overhead, blackboard, paper • Explain expectations • Identify how many applications are required • One is the norm, but no more than three • Identify length of answers required • Generally several sentences • Set time limit • Three to five minutes is the norm • Explain feedback process • Will it be private, written, verbal? • Identify when it will happen

5. How to use Application Cards Taken from Application Cards (Assesses Skill in Application & Performance) CMU Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching • Hand out index cards • Names are optional depending on instructor’s feedback method • Collect completed cards • Give feedback • As a class discussion • Explain that not all responses will be discussed and set time limit • Focus on good examples to assist learners who may be struggling • Feedback could also be written and private • More time consuming for instructor

6. When to use Application Cards • When teaching important theories and concepts • Assesses whether or not learners are understanding concepts • When teaching objectives are at a higher cognitive level • Assesses whether students are able to use the knowledge at the appropriate level

7. Advantages and Considerations • Very easy to organize • Requires little in the way of supplies or tools except for the index cards • No special setting is needed • Quick to administer • Learners who are struggling have an opportunity to see examples of good work • Instructors receive a snapshot view of class progress and can make decisions about their methods immediately rather than after a formal assessment • Feedback process may be timing consuming depending on method. • Difficult to apply concepts may make this a challenging exercise for learners • Ethically, instructors should not identify learners by name when discussing results in feedback session, nor should substandard answers be used as examples

8. Validity and Reliability • Content validity in this method is ensured as the assessment is an immediate extension of learning • Instructors must be sure that the concepts being taught and teaching methods encourage real world applications • Consequences validity is high as the method is quick and low anxiety for the learners • Instructors should explain the feedback process clearly to maintain a low anxiety environment • Process validity is made certain by providing clear instructions and expectations for the assessment • Reliability with this method is difficult to assess • The best way to ensure is to maintain high content and process validity

9. Conclusion • Application cards are a simple and quick method of assessing learners’ ability to apply concepts to real world situations. • This method provides assessment for learning in terms of providing learners with feedback on their progress and learning from example. • Instructors are also given an opportunity to evaluate their instruction and ensure that it is on-target and effective.

10. Resources • Informal Assessment Strategies: A-Z for the Math Classroom Chris Moersch Available at http://loticonnection.cachefly.net/iste_2010/Informal_Assessment_Strategies.pdf • Application Cards (Assesses Skill in Application & Performance) CMU Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching Available at http://www.facit.cmich.edu/instructional-support/links/cats/cat5.pdf template & images used with permission from Microsoft