What is the role of educational measurement and evaluation in education
Phrase, this test measures IQ is commonly used, measuring such things as attitudes or preferences also applied. However when we measure , we generally use some standards instruments to determine how big tall, heavy, voluminous, hot, cold, fast or straight something actually.
Adequate educational measurement and evaluation also acts as an incentive to pupils' studies. The test, examination and evaluation devices stimulate pupils' interest and enable them to make, greater efforts. Without the use of evaluation devices, most pupils will not take their learning seriously. The use of such evaluation devices as observational techniques, assignments, continuous assessment and projects prevents one-short examinations which excessive memorization, cramming, unhealthy competition and the complete neglect of other non-measurable aims of education.
Educational evaluation started as a branch of psychology in the late 50s, as the result of curriculum innovation. It was then referred to as educational measurement, measurement and evaluation or test and measurement. Within the last the few decades, educational evaluation has grown into a separate, independent discipline through with some learnings on the idea of psychologist, psychometrician and statisticians. Efforts of educational evaluator have been directed specifically towards using precision, objectivity and mathematical vigor of psychological measurement in ways directly related to educational institution, educational process and purposes.
Tyler (1950) defined evaluation as “the process of determining the degree to which goals of programs have been achieved”.
Crombach (1960), defined evaluation as “the collection and use information to make decision about an education programs
Therefore, we can say that evaluation as a measure of success of the outcome of the problem to the intended objectives
Apart from the types of evaluation , there are some principles of educational evaluation which can be served as guide to educational evaluation in seeing to the effective planning and implementation of the evaluation program to yield the desired post results.
Also educational evaluation instrument should take into account the practical problems of administering the making of the response that is the instrument should be convenient to administer and clear to students and student response should be easy to mark.
Therefore according to above introduction, the following are the roles of educational measurement and evaluation systems in Tanzania:-
To identify some of the problems that the students may need to overcome in order to progress in learning. Educational measurement and evaluation facilitates the identification of what is left to be learned. It produces feedback on students' achievement and encourages them to learn more and progress faster in the instructional programme. This is possible through remedial classes and special programme to slow learners.
Educational measurement and evaluation provides adequate and effective feedback on students' achievement not only in the cognitive area, but also the areas of interest and manipulative skill. The feedback helps the teacher to choose and improve the teaching methods and materials to improve learning process.
It provides feedback from students to the teacher about the effect of the teacher's teaching method. It also provides feedback from the teachers to the parents about their ward’s performance. It provides feed-back from school administrators to the policy makers to determine the success of the programme.
Continual educational measurement and evaluation provides valuable information about the pupils' progress and comparison with other pupils in the class. This also helps the teacher to choose suitable alternative methods or techniques to help others who in low levels of understanding to get at least the medium level of understanding and create balance in learning process.
It provides feedback from students to the teacher about the effect of the teacher's teaching method. It also provides feedback from the teachers to the parents about their ward’s performance. It provides feedback from school administrators to the policy makers to determine the success of the programme.
Adequate educational measurement and evaluation also acts as an incentive to pupils' studies. The test, examination and evaluation devices stimulate pupils' interest and enable them to make, greater efforts. Without the use of evaluation devices, most pupils will not take their learning seriously. The use of such evaluation devices as observational techniques, assignments, continuous assessment and projects prevents one-short examinations which can lead to excessive memorization, cramming, unhealthy competition, and the complete neglect of other non-measurable aims of education.
Evaluation of pupils' progress provides a valuable source material for educational research. Data on pupils' achievements can help research workers and teachers to identify important educational problems in schools and provide solutions which will help in the improvement of the quality of education.
Evaluation and measurement is used to embrace the mentality of learners which is helpful in knowing the students needs and preferences, this means that after the students being evaluated its where we can determine what is supposed to be given or taught to the students and improving the learners success. So evaluation and measurement plays the role of determining the needs and preferences of the learner.
Evaluation and measurement is also responsible to determine students who are qualified to be admitted in colleges and university education, for instance evaluation is done at beginning, before starting the course to determine whether the students is qualified or not by looking the scores and best grades at their final examination. Therefore those students with best grade and scores are selected and admitted for further studies.
A comprehensive measurement and evaluation policy shall have as its goal the improvement of learning. In this context, ‘learning’ shall encompass not only the cognitive portions of the curriculum but also the affective and social domains, the acquisition of those habits, attitudes and values that will enable the pupil of today to mature into the independent, thoughtful and rational adult of tomorrow.
Measurement and evaluation shall be to furnish parents with pertinent information regarding the extent to which their children are mastering the objectives of the course of study, making it possible for them to cooperate with the school in the development of plans that will result in an improvement in their children’s learning.
Generally measurement and evaluation remain as an important tool towards students achievements in schools as they both provide feedback to students themselves who are assessed and evaluated. In making measurement and evaluation the purpose is to determine what a student’s needs, for instance testing and evaluation in the early grades, learning disabilities and handicaps can be identified and dealt with.
REFERENCES
Agrawal M, (2004), Journal of Curriculum studies; Curricular Reform in Schools: The Importance of Evaluation.
Broom B. S, Hasting J, T, & Madaus J, R (1971), Handbook on Formative and Evaluation of Student Learning: New York
Paul, L. D (1976), Handbook of Academic Evaluation: New York
Typer, R.W (1950), Basic Principles of Curriculum and Instruction: Chicago: Chicago press
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