What Are Types of Assessment Tools?

By Staff Writer | Last Updated August 4, 2015

Educational assessment tools include rubrics, graphic organizers, portfolios, feedback tools and discussion tools. Some educational tools help schools evaluate student performance, while others permit self evaluations of student performance. Instructors use educational assessment tools to guide students in future academic performance and evaluate past performances.

Teachers and professors use review and reflection tools to give students a chance to evaluate their own past performances. These tools provide students and instructors with a better understanding of students’ level of mastery in certain academic areas, and indicate areas needing improvement. These tools evaluate performance over a longer period of time, such as a semester, or following units and segments or projects.

In contrast to reflection tools that measure past performance, rubrics prepare students for academic studies ahead. Rubrics outline expected goals and level of knowledge achieved by students over a period of time. They essentially serve as outlines to tell students what actions and level of mastery equates to certain grades. Some teachers present rubrics to students before handing out tests or assigning papers, while others do not. In addition to evaluating student performance and setting expectations, educational evaluation tools also help instructors. Familiarization tools, for instance, serve as planning and audit guides, giving teachers opportunities to construct or revise teaching plans.