Best Classroom Summative Assessment Methods & Strategies in a Virtual Environment

Assessment Learning Network, December 3, 2020


The 2020-21 ALN sessions will explore implications for teaching and assessing in virtual environments. As educators and students embrace the responsibility to impact learning in new distance, virtual, and hybrid environments necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will amplify and enhance what we know about good assessment practice and its ability to support learning.

Best Classroom Summative Assessment Methods & Strategies in a Virtual Environment
The shift to distance learning presents opportunities to expand our repertoire of classroom assessment methods. This session will demonstrate how educators can incorporate alternatives that emphasize meaningful tasks, afford opportunities to differentiate, and use feedback well, within the context of students’ social-emotional needs. This session will also share lessons learned about the importance of helping parents understand the role and purpose of assessment to support and advance learning.

Framing Questions

  • How has distance and virtual learning expanded the repertoire of classroom summative assessment formats we might elect to use?
  • What are the characteristics and features of virtual classroom summative assessment methods that engage learners, provide opportunities to differentiate learning, and assess complex skills and higher order thinking?
  • What feedback opportunities exist in distance and virtual environments? Why is it important to use feedback—including empathetic feedback—effectively to support teaching, learning, and assessing?
  • What do parents need to know about the role and purpose of classroom summative assessment so that they support their student’s learning from home?
Event Resources

Presentation Video

Best Classroom Summative Assessment Methods & Strategies in a Virtual Environment (to access specific chapters, open at (to access specific chapters, open at https://vimeo.com/488143021/4b8a871e17)

Presenter: Doug Fisher

Doug Fisher has recently collaborated with John Hattie and Nancy Frey to develop The Distance Learning Playbook Grades K-12: Teaching for Engagement and Impact in Any Setting, published by Corwin. Fisher is Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College. He has published numerous books on teaching and learning and is a sought-after presenter who combines research with practice to translate ideas teachers use quickly in their own settings to support students.

Learning Moments

LM-Doug Fisher: Assessment in remote/hybrid environmentsDec. 3, 2020
LM-Doug Fisher: How distance learning expands classroom assessment strategies - Dec. 3, 2020
LM-Doug Fisher: Ipsiative assessment and how it supports student growth - Dec. 3, 2020
LM-Doug Fisher: What parents need to know about assessment - Dec. 3, 2020
LM-Doug Fisher: Universal response opportunities - Dec. 3, 2020

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