What is Assessment?
Assessment has a multitude of definitions. However, the one definition that seems to encompass all the relevant components of learning and continued learning is:
“Assessment is the process of gathering and discussing information from multiple and diverse sources in order to develop a deep understanding of what students know, understand, and can do with their knowledge as a result of their educational experiences; the process culminates when assessment results are used to improve subsequent learning.” – Huba, M. E. and Freed, J. E. (2000). Learner – Centered Assessment on College Campuses – Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning. Boston, Allyn and Bacon.
True assessment should direct attention to what is important in the educational process, what students do and how they do it, and how they can demonstrate that they can continue that process of learning and enhancing their own lives and careers. Let us recall that the word education comes from the Latin origin: educare – to draw out.