Assessment

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of assessment is testing. I automatically think of a multiple choice or true/false test in which a teacher can assess what I know. I believe there is a good way to asses and a not so good way to asses. Although in some cases multiple choice tests is the easiest of best way to asses a child, I tend to disagree. To this day, I still can not stand multiple choice test. All I do is memorize what I need too, answer questions on the test and then simply forget it the day after. It just has no meaning to me. I feel like it is absolutely pointless because a day later I have no idea what I just had a test on. As a college student, I guess I never really understood that when I was younger I didn't realize I was just memorizing. I actually thought I was learning something, but turned out I kind of wasn't. I think the best way to assess a college student is through essays. My favorite tests were when I was in EDU234. We had the test questions prior to learning everything in class. When I would go to write the test, I could actually write what I learned. I applied what I learned in class to case studies within the class. I really enjoyed this, because I can honestly say because of those tests, I consider that class one of the more informative classes I have ever taken.
As for becoming a future teacher, I am sure I will give my fair share of multiple choice/true false tests, simply because second graders can't write full out essays. I think I would be able to asses children based on short essays the best. They are writing what they have learned and this would allow me to see if they are learning or if they need some extra learning. I think another great assessment for the primary grades are checklists. This has recently become one of my favorite ways to asses. I think that is because I have what I need to look for in front of me. If a child can do it, all you simply have to do is write yes or no and then any other additional comments.
It's hard to think about what kinds of assessment I want to do in the classroom, but I'm sure I will be doing a little bit of everything!