5 Informal Assessment Ideas for Remote Learning

The global pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for educators worldwide, requiring them to adapt and innovate their teaching practices to remote learning. However, traditional assessments are often unsuitable for remote learning and may even produce unreliable results. To address this, informal assessments provide a feasible solution that supports student learning and helps teachers assess their knowledge and skills. In this blog article, we’ll be exploring five informal assessment ideas for remote learning that can help educators support their students’ learning.

1. Polling and Surveys

Polling and surveys can offer an effective way to assess student progress in a remote environment. Teachers can use poll and survey tools like Kahoot, Poll Everywhere, and Google Forms to create quizzes and assess students’ comprehension in real-time. Additionally, teachers can use these tools to collect feedback and tailor their lessons to meet each student’s unique learning needs.

2. Peer Assessment

Peer assessment is a valuable assessment strategy that can help teachers mitigate the limitations of remote learning. Students can review each other’s work and provide constructive feedback, which will improve their critical thinking and strengthen their social skills. Tools like PeerMark allow students to exchange work assignments and provide feedback anonymously, which, in turn, fosters an inclusive and supportive learning community.

3. Virtual Learning Projects

Virtual learning projects allow students to take charge of their learning and apply their skills and knowledge in a real-world context. Teachers can create project-based assessments that enable students to collaborate remotely while demonstrating their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, students can leverage a variety of digital tools to produce multimedia projects and showcase their learning.

4. Self-Reflections

Self-reflections offer an introspective approach that empowers students to reflect on their learning independently. Teachers can assign weekly reflection assignments that require students to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, the topics they’re struggling with, and their goals for improvement. Self-reflections encourage students to take ownership of their learning, increase their self-awareness and give them the opportunity to receive personalized feedback and support from their teachers.

5. Digital Portfolios

Digital portfolios are an excellent tool for documenting student progress, providing a comprehensive overview of their learning, and showcasing their achievements over time. With digital platforms like Seesaw or Google Sites, students can create a collection of their work and demonstrate their mastery of essential skills and knowledge. Teachers can provide feedback and support that is tailored to the specific needs of each student, and digital portfolios can be easily shared with families and used to inform parent-teacher conferences.

In conclusion, informal assessments can provide a valuable alternative to traditional assessments in remote learning environments. These five informal assessment ideas offer educators an effective way to assess student progress, provide personalized feedback, and promote a more inclusive and supportive learning community. By utilizing these strategies, educators can better support their students in their remote learning journey and help them thrive despite the challenges of the global pandemic.