[NIFL-ASSESSMENT:4] RE: assessment vs evaluation

From: Hawk, Wil (Wil.Hawk@nifl.gov)
Date: Tue Jun 12 2001 - 13:31:40 EDT


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From: "Hawk, Wil" <Wil.Hawk@nifl.gov>
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Subject: [NIFL-ASSESSMENT:4] RE:  assessment vs evaluation
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Hi, all. I am Wil Hawk, working at NIFL and monitoring the special
collection grants, the LINCS materials database content, etc.

The issue of terminology and clear use of consistent terminology is
critical, I think, as we try to further educate the field about assessment
through the special collection. I have heard literacy experts use the terms
"assessment" and "evaluation" interchangeably . . . and been left nearly
breathless. What are we talking about when we say assessment? Evaluation?

To help start the discussion, here are the scope notes for these two terms
as they appear in the Adult Literacy Thesaurus (ALT). This is the standard
subject term vocabulary we use when cataloging in LINCS and when naming the
special collections and other NIFL projects.

	Assessment: Measurement of a learner's ability and/or achievement.

	Evaluation: Identification of the effects and judgment of the
effectiveness of a learning experience (e.g., a lesson) or context (e.g., a
program or an institution).

There are, of course, more specific examples of/terms for each, like
Portfolio assessment and Course evaluation, included in the Adult Literacy
Thesaurus.

But, my question is, do these scope notes/definitions reflect what you mean
when you say Assessment or Evaluation?

Thanks.

Wil

 


-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Ponder [mailto:tponder@zhost.net]
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 1:12 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [NIFL-ASSESSMENT:3] Welcome


Hello,
I would like to welcome everyone to the NIFL-Assessment discussion list.
This list is designed as a discussion forum for issues relating to
assessment and evaluation in adult literacy and education. You have all been
subscribed due to your participation in the assessment special collection,
or a recommendation from others in the field. You should have all received a
message before this, explaining the list and that you had been subscribed
and   giving you a chance to opt out. If you do not wish to participate at
this time, please let me know off list at tponder@zhost.net.

The list is currently closed, allowing us to set some groundwork, build the
archive and be sure all is well before announcing it to the public sometime
in July.

To start things off, I would like to ask members for the customary
introduction/bio to help us get acquainted.

The topic we would like to begin the discussion addressing is terminology.
We will send a more specific request or question later this week, however,
if any of you have an issue or question relating to terms used when dealing
with assessment, feel free to start the discussion off. We feel this topic
will serve several purposes, including establishing a useful archive for the
LINCS site as well as help us as we develop a glossary for the assessment
special collection.

Thank You, and again, Welcome!
tim

--
_____________________________
Tim Ponder
tponder@zhost.net
417-866-4333

"Start every day off with a smile and get it over with."
	-- W. C. Fields



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