Figure 2!Oral presentation assessment tool used in an English language learning class by undergraduate engineering students (adapted from Cheng and Warren, 2005)
Self-Assessment Self-Assessment Self-assessment has the potential to be a powerful mode of assessment that encourages students’ self-regulation of their learning and setting of goals for self-improvement. Before engaging in reflection and self-assessment, students need to be familiar with assessment criteria that are clearly stated and with the objectives of the unit being taught (Topping 1998; Thorpe 2000; Lindblom-ylänne et al. 2006). Using the criteria, students need to examine their work, consider what they have achieved and think about what still needs further development. Like peer-assessment, the quality of the self-assessment depends on the clarity of the criteria, the detail of descriptions in assessment tools, instructor support during the process through guiding questions and opportunity for student questions, instructor modeling, and regular opportunities to practice self-assessment through reflection (Thorpe 2000). Peer- and self-assessments are most effective when they are embedded into the learning in the unit and students are provided with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes in a non-threatening environment. Often, self-assessment is achieved through the use of a reflective journal, written with the assistance of a set of guiding questions. Journaling offers another way to encourage understanding of oneself as well as understanding of concepts and their application to life experiences outside the classroom (Langer 2002; Park 2003; Chabon and Lee-Wilkerson 2006). Self- assessment through journaling works well in the context of student internships and other experiential learning opportunities. Self-assessment can also be accomplished through data collection tools similar to those used for peer- assessment such as inventories, rating scales, and rubrics. Effective self-assessment helps focus students on their individual strengths and attitudes, analyze their progress, and set goals for subsequent learning. Self-assessment through reflective practice is an important life-skill to develop because many work contexts utilize self-appraisal in their employee review process (Baker, 2008). Self-assessment is a meta-cognitive activity and an essential component of student reflection that causes the student to become more conscious of how they learn, the quality of their work, and the purpose of the learning experience (Carson and Fisher 2006; Lindblom-ylänne et al. 2006).