Continues Assessment is a method of evaluating the performance and achievement of learners over a periods of time.CA involves the assessment of learners progress based on the work they do or they take on day-to-day basis throughout the term or year rather than on a single end-of programme examination.
CA is formative mode of evaluation of the learners' progress at regular intervals(periods)with feedback given to help improve their performance.CA is a good tool for the promotion of active learning.
These are some of the Characteristics of Continues Assessments (CA)
.. This means that you should base your CA on good pla
● CA is objective. CA demands your ability to describe the learner without being influenced by personal emotions, bias or prejudice. This ensures accurate and reliable decisions on the learner's progress.
● CA is Cumulative. This implies that progressive records of all measured attributes(Characteristics) of the learner must be kept and that the final decision about the learners' progress will be based on current and previous observations.
● CA is guidance - oriented.This Characteristics suggest that all collected evidence should be properly documented and used for guiding the learner and counselling him/her on how to overcome identified learning (and socio- psychological )problems.
●CA is Comprehensive. This requires two things. First that all aspect of learning in the cognitive,affective and psychomotor domains must be sampled to obtain the total picture of the learner. Secondly,all possible techniques for data collection should be applied in testing and measuring evidences of learning and progress,
Techniques of Obtaining information for CA
1-Achievement Test:
This includes Oral test or quiz,written test(objective and essay types)
2-Objective Tests:
It can be observed in different format but are easier to score,and if carefully developed give more reliable information on learners' progress. Forms of objective test include:Multiple choice, Matching ,Alternate forms(true or false ,Yes or no) and completion.
3-Observation of performance :
Learners could be observed as they engage in task individually or in groups: in or out of class,scoring and recording their achievements on set objectives/expected levels of performance.
4-Rating of Demonstrated skills and attitudes of learners in class work:
Examples Throwing, Kicking,Jumping in Physical Education; Manipulating(handling) instruments in Science; artistic performance in drama or Music etc. Rating may be by the teacher but sometimes learners can rate their colleagues.
5-Scoring of learners' creative Product:(Procedure and product assessment)
Examples in class project (as in Creative and Cultural Arts,Literature, Science and Basic Technology etc).
6-Interviews:
This involves having a face -to-face talk with the learner using question and answer to find out certain personal details, Example understanding of concept; issues and changes In attitude.Interviews could also be used to explore learners.