The fourth chapter of Fair Isn’t Always Equal, by Rick Wormeli, focused on three types of assessment: portfolios, rubrics, and self-assessment. The very first type discussed is the portfolio, which is basically a collection of works created throughout the class. The purpose of this is that it gives both the teacher and student a visual representation of their progress and mastery throughout the course. Secondly, the text explored rubrics which yield the greatest amount of mistakes, using them is a series of trial and error. Finally, self-assessments were discussed which allows the students to reflect on their own efforts, thus providing the teacher with an idea of where each student feels they are academically.
Personally, self-assessments have always been my favorite! Having had classes that provided these after every project (especially in art class) it allowed me the opportunity to not only reflect on what was expected, but to defend myself if I felt that I accomplished something that the teacher may miss when assessing. Also, it was not until I took a writing course in college that I had an actual final portfolio, I feel that it helped me grow. For that writing class, I was able to pick the works that I felt best represented my mastery and in the portfolio I included every version of that paper from the first to the final draft. Additionally, I had to write a statement defending my choices and the revision processes. By doing this it truly gave me perspective on my own development and choices. Finally, when I received my portfolio back my professor had provided a response to my reflection that covered my own growth and where I could improve further. To me, it seems that learning is so subjective that most of the time educating is a series of trial and error all in search of the "right" method.
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