5. Assessing students continuously throughout the learning processes
Progressively assess students’ learning so that assistance can be given to students when
they first need it, and before more serious learning difficulties arise. Students can be
given a series of smaller, appropriately valued assessment tasks spread through the
term. What is important to bear in mind about continuous assessment is that the purpose
is to identify potential problems, monitor satisfactory progress toward significant learner
goals, and to provide feedback and encouragement along the way. For that reason,
assessments based on initial attempts on the part of students to demonstrate new skills
should not be heavily weighted toward the final judgement of student proficiency in a
new skill area, at the end of the term. These assessments can be based on observation,
judgement, encouragement, guidance, and corrections.