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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Target Topic(s)

orient to basic web search
orient on boolean operators

Class Level

1000,2000

Class Type

single-session

Prep Time

print worksheet

Class Time

10 mins

B. 1000 Level Misconception

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C. Categorizing Grid

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D. Checking for Understanding

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E. General Questions

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F. Grouping Sources of Information

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G. How to find a scholarly article

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H. Minute Paper

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I. Evaluating Sources Checklist & Summary

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J. Paraphrasing Boolean operators

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K. Pre-Post Class Quiz

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L. Scholarly Popular Categorization

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M. Working with a Topic

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