USG Teaching & Learning Conference: Best Practices for Promoting Engaged Student

Judith Longfield

Although the focus of assessment is often grades, assessment can also be a useful tool for engaging student in critical thinking about their learning. Angelo & Cross (1993) point out that by helping students understand what they are learning, it is possible to increase their learning. This session is designed for those interested in learning about the role of assessment in learning, and how a variety of classroom assessment techniques (CATs) can increase students' engagement with their learning. Participants will have the opportunity to examine ways CATs can be used to evaluate student learning and to critically engage students in their own learning. A selection of CATs useful in multiple disciplines will be demonstrated. Questions to be addressed include: What is a CAT? Why are CATs important to learning? How do CATs help students think critically about what they are learning and not learning?