Bettina Matysiak PIDP 3104November

Introduction  What are “application cards”?  an informal assessment technique which allows instructors to assess learners’ ability to apply concepts, theories, principles, etc.  learners are asked apply a newly taught concept to a real world situation and record their answer on a card.  Instructors collect the cards and provide feedback to learners.

Introduction  Why use“application cards”?  learners consider what they have learned in the context of prior knowledge and make connections  Learners see a practical use for what they are studying  Learners receive feedback and guidance  Instructors have the opportunity to assess learners’ understanding of the material  Instructors can assess their instruction and ensure that it is effective and in good alignment  Instructors can assist learners having difficulty quickly

How to use Application Cards  Identify concept to be applied  Ensure it is clear and easily applicable  Put it in writing Overhead, blackboard, paper  Explain expectations  Identify how many applications are required One is the norm, but no more than three  Identify length of answers required Generally several sentences  Set time limit Three to five minutes is the norm  Explain feedback process  Will it be private, written, verbal?  Identify when it will happen Taken from Application Cards (Assesses Skill in Application & Performance) CMU Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching

How to use Application Cards  Hand out index cards  Names are optional depending on instructor’s feedback method  Collect completed cards  Give feedback  As a class discussion Explain that not all responses will be discussed and set time limit Focus on good examples to assist learners who may be struggling  Feedback could also be written and private More time consuming for instructor Taken from Application Cards (Assesses Skill in Application & Performance) CMU Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching

When to use Application Cards  When teaching important theories and concepts  Assesses whether or not learners are understanding concepts  When teaching objectives are at a higher cognitive level  Assesses whether students are able to use the knowledge at the appropriate level

Advantages and Considerations  Very easy to organize  Requires little in the way of supplies or tools except for the index cards  No special setting is needed  Quick to administer  Learners who are struggling have an opportunity to see examples of good work  Instructors receive a snapshot view of class progress and can make decisions about their methods immediately rather than after a formal assessment  Feedback process may be timing consuming depending on method.  Difficult to apply concepts may make this a challenging exercise for learners  Ethically, instructors should not identify learners by name when discussing results in feedback session, nor should substandard answers be used as examples

Validity and Reliability  Content validity in this method is ensured as the assessment is an immediate extension of learning  Instructors must be sure that the concepts being taught and teaching methods encourage real world applications  Consequences validity is high as the method is quick and low anxiety for the learners  Instructors should explain the feedback process clearly to maintain a low anxiety environment  Process validity is made certain by providing clear instructions and expectations for the assessment  Reliability with this method is difficult to assess  The best way to ensure is to maintain high content and process validity

Conclusion  Application cards are a simple and quick method of assessing learners’ ability to apply concepts to real world situations.  This method provides assessment for learning in terms of providing learners with feedback on their progress and learning from example.  Instructors are also given an opportunity to evaluate their instruction and ensure that it is on-target and effective.

Resources  Informal Assessment Strategies: A-Z for the Math Classroom Chris Moersch Available at nformal_Assessment_Strategies.pdf nformal_Assessment_Strategies.pdf  Application Cards (Assesses Skill in Application & Performance) CMU Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching Available at support/links/cats/cat5.pdf support/links/cats/cat5.pdf template & images used with permission from Microsoft