Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs)

Assessment Strategies for Student Learning.

Formative assessment - In-class; takes the pulse of the class; not high stakes; helps students learn or helps students reinforce what they have learned

Summative assessment - takes place at the end of the course; usually graded and therefore high stakes.

Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs for short)

• in-class exercises that helps instructors teach or reinforce a concept in class
• collects feedback during class
• provides gauge for instructors on what students have learned in class (met learning outcomes).  Indirectly, it helps us reflect on our teaching strategies and strengthen our teaching skills.
• for single-session classes, CATs can serve both as formative and/or summative assessments (for that session).
• CATs are useful active learning exercises appropriate for single- or multi-sessions classes.

Classroom Assessment Techniques 

Contains detailed instructions for a variety of CATs for use in the class.  Each link contains the activity and a lesson plan to guide the usage of the CAT in your classroom.  

A. Background Knowledge Probe

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searching the library catalog
orient to basic web search
orient on boolean operators

B. 1000 Level Misconception

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introduction to library catalog  - conceptual

C. Categorizing Grid

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develop understanding of the organization of knowledge
help develop skills in selecting tools for research

D. Checking for Understanding

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applicable to any topic instructor wants

E. General Questions

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class evaluation - most useful if doing 2 or more sessions

F. Grouping Sources of Information

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understanding what different sources offer (e.g., Encyclopedias vs articles)

G. How to find a scholarly article

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searching databases and catalog
using citation management tool

H. Minute Paper

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concept evaluation tool - all topics
baseline info to start class - all topics

I. Evaluating Sources Checklist & Summary

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evaluating sources - checklist
summarizing information concisely

J. Paraphrasing Boolean operators

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overview on boolean operators
overview on truncation

K. Pre-Post Class Quiz

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applicable to various topics covered in class (e.g., peer review; reading citations, etc.,)

L. Scholarly Popular Categorization

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understanding differences in scholarly and popular materials

M. Working with a Topic

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construct searchable question
identify subject headings
narrow down research