One neat *strategy* for "pre-assessment" I have seen was at  pre-conference 
session at COABE 3 years ago.  So simple and yet it changed my whole "take" 
on participating in the session.

After the facilitator briefly went over the Agenda for the course, she said 
(something like):
"OK - that's the intent of this session - the information I planned to 
cover. Now I'd like you to think about *your* goals in coming to this 
session. Think a minute and jot down on a piece of paper *one thing* you 
want to get out of this session.  *One thing* you'd like to walk away with."

We had think time, jotted our notes, and then she had everyone say what 
their one thing was and wrote it on Newsprint/Easel-sized sticky-note paper 
and stuck the pages up on the wall.  When this was done she said (and this 
was the very important part):

"These are great - and some things I hadn't initially planned on 
covering.  OK - now I want you to keep this goal of yours in mind during 
the session. It is your job to make sure that *you* leave this session with 
that goal met. Ask questions, remind me, the facilitator, to address the 
issue, work with your peers at your table, etc. *You* are responsible for 
ensuring that this session meets *your* needs."

She went on to explain that this was a great way to assist adult learners 
to take responsibility for their own learning as well.

Changed my whole approach to the session.  At the end she went back to 
these pages and asked us to ask ourselves "Did I get what I wanted to get 
out of this session?  If not, what can I do now/next to try to attain this 
goal?"

Duren Thompson
PS (I'm working on digging up the presenter's name - she was high up in the 
NASSLN organization and the session was on LD - at Columbus?)