Which of the following best describes informal assessment?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To begin, let's restate the question and all options to ensure clarity about what is being evaluated.
Question: Which of the following best describes informal assessment?
Options:
- a. Tasks that are required by the course, which contribute to your overall grade.
- b. Tasks like tutorial discussions, Kahoot quizzes, comparing your knowledge with that of your peers.
- c. Tasks that occur during the learning process, and as part of the learning process.
- d. Tasks that occur after some learning has taken place, acting to measure competency at a given point in time.

Option a: This describes formal assessment rather than informal assessment. Formal assessments are typically scheduled, standardized or graded components that contribute to a course grade. The statement here emphasizes course-required tasks contributing to the grade, which aligns more with formal assessment than informal.

Option b: This option characterizes informal assessment as occurring through casual, interactive activities embedded in learning—tutorial discussions, quick quizzes like Kahoot, and sharing or comparing knowledge with peers. These activities are typically low-stakes, ongoing, and provide immediate feedback, fitting the essence of informal assessment.

Option c: While it notes that informal assessment occurs during the learning process, this description is somewhat vague and could apply to a broad range of processes, including formal methods. It also doesn’t explicitly capture the informal, learner-centered, or continuous feedback nature that defines informal assessment.

Option d: This describes assessment aimed at measuring competency after some learning has taken place, which aligns more with summative or interim formal assessments rather than the flexible, in-the-moment nature of informal assessment.

In evaluating which option best describes informal assessment, consider the defining features: informal assessments are ongoing, embedded within learning activities, often low-stakes, and used to gauge understanding in real-time without formal grading pressures. Option b uniquely captures these characteristics by listing peer-oriented, discussion-based and quick, interactive tasks that occur during the learning process as part of everyday learning routines.

Thus, the reasoning for the incorrect options:
- a incorrectly mirrors formal assessment (graded, course-required tasks) rather than informal. 
- c is too vague and does not specify the informal, ongoing, in-the-moment nature that characterizes informal assessment. 
- d emphasizes post-learning measurement and a formal-style checkpoint, which aligns poorly with informal assessment principles.

In summary, option b best matches the concept of informal assessment, highlighting casual, collaborative, and in-the-moment evaluation activities that accompany learning.

Which of the following best describes informal assessment?

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