How should we use our assessment results? 

In my previous article I discussed how assessment could be used within a class to analyze students' understanding and learning, as well as provide feedback for teachers in making profitable changes in their lesson plans to meet students' needs. I pointed out the flexibility of assessment and how the results should be recognized as data and feedback concerning teaching, not just learning. 

Now I want to discuss how assessment results can be used concerning the learner. 

Students are sensitive to how teachers present feedback and recognition within the classroom. Feedback on assessment results should focus on recognizing students' achievements while encouraging them to pursue mastery of skills or understandings that may still elude them. The ultimate goal of teachers is to present challenges that will cultivate specific skills and understanding in students, thus enabling students with the ability to face future challenges head on. When teachers recognize students strengths and provide feedback on aspects of challenges that students continue to struggle with, students' analysis and acceptance of that feedback is imperative in students' self-efficacy (beliefs about one's competency). 

If students accept feedback on assessment results as an analysis of their self worth rather than recognition of strengths and areas demanding of further learning, students will most likely be discouraged and lack the motivation to pursue mastery. Worse, students who perform well and accept feedback of assessment results in matters of self worth will view further mastery as unnecessary and stagnate their skills and efforts. However, when students are informed and encouraged to recognize feedback as a tool for refining areas of strength or developing further understanding in areas not yet master, students then are motivated to continue tackling difficult challenges. Students also understand that their abilities can be refined due to efforts and pursued learning.

I recently read an article by Tammy Russel called " Why Resilience Is Critical in a Learning Environment." (I have provided a link to this article at the end of this post.) In her article, Russel discussed the importance of students' ability to be resilient as a learner and recognize their ability to grow in understanding and skill. She stated:

"When students have resilience, they are open to learning because they believe that they can learn; they are receptive to assistance because it is not a criticism of their abilities; and they are comfortable not understanding concepts immediately because they see learning as a pursuit of knowledge and know that motivation and effort are just as important as knowing how to do something."

By focusing on goal mastery and refining understanding, teachers reveal to students a positive analysis of assessment results and encourage them to use feedback to pursue mastery in needed areas. Teachers need to focus on connecting effort to students' success and motivate learners to appropriately produce the effort necessary for furthering learning.

http://www.wholechildeducation.org/blog/why-resilience-is-critical-in-a-learning-environment