ASSIGNMENT 4 – RECURSIVE FEEDBACK – Diagnostic testing

Diagnostic testing, or pre-assessment can be defined as the process where a variety of measures can be employed to identify different pre-identified aspects with regard to learning (Brown, 2020). These could include student strengths in specific skills or content matter. It plays a vital role to inform teachers on the needs of their students. The term should not be confused with the product of diagnoses, e.g., in the medical field where certain symptoms would help the doctor to diagnose a certain disease.

The function of diagnostic assessment is not only to guide decisions related to instruction in class, but ultimately to guide and inform academic decisions, e.g. the content of the curriculum. With regard to assessment types, a variety of diagnostic assessments could render different types of data, depending on what information the teacher is trying to access (Brown, 2020) . Typically, a diagnostic text before new learning material is introduces, will provide in-depth details about the learner’s skills in that particular subject area.

In addition, diagnostic assessment can also be used to monitor the progress of learners during the course of the relevant module. The ultimate aim of diagnostic testing at regular intervals is to lead to improvements which could be brought about by the needed interventions on the appropriate level.

The graphic representation below shows the typical route, actions and intended results of diagnostic assessment:

Retrieved from: https://courses.dcs.wisc.edu/design-teaching/PlanDesign_Fall2016/2-Online- Course-Design/3_Learning-Assessments/5_assessment_diagnostic.html

In my teaching context, the first year students come from a variety of social, and educational backgrounds, so I find it crucial to do a form of diagnostic assessment to determine the different levels and design interventions to attempt to get everybody on the same level.

References:

Brown, R. (2020, November 12). Diagnostic assessment as a tool for identifying learner needs. [Illuminate Blog post]. https://www.illuminateed.com/blog/2020/11/diagnostic-assessment/

Diagnostic assessments (2016). Courses.dcs.wisc.edu https://courses.dcs.wisc.edu/design- teaching/PlanDesign_Fall2016/2-Online-Course-Design/3_Learning- Assessments/5_assessment_diagnostic.html

Links to more information:

Teaching in Education. (2016, December 15). Diagnostic Assessments: Examples and Overview. [Video]. You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-WEmsuvDsA