Teaching Ideas: Using Anecdotal Records as a Formative Assessment in the Classroom

In my previous article, I defined formative assessments and the benefits for teachers and students. Although formative assessment is a valuable researched-based teaching technique, it seems to be somewhat rare in classrooms today. It could be that teachers do not know what formative assessments look like. To answer that question, this article gives a description of one kind of formative assessment.

Formative Assessment: Anecdotal Records

This type of formative assessment can be used on all levels from pre-K through high school. It can also be used successfully in all classes and content areas. Chances are that you already use this form of assessment regularly for other reasons. I consistently record anecdotal records about student behavior and it has been an invaluable tool in my classroom management. Anecdotal records, however, are a great formative assessment tool. Here are some tips for using them: Focus in on a specific learning outcome and keep the note brief; Anecdotal records should be recorded frequently (daily if possible); Information about strengths and weaknesses should be included; Notes should be recorded at various times to get a complete profile of learning.

Formative Assessment: Managing the Anecdotal Records

Anecdotal records can be written on post-it notes and latter transferred to student files. You may find, however, that working with a different post-it note for each student is too much to keep up with. To manage my anecdotal records, I made a simple form in Microsoft Word where each student has a square on a page. I see all their names on the same page. This helps me to make sure I make notes for everyone. I date the top of the page and use a page a day. Or if I use the same page for more than one day, I make sure I use a different color pen for the different dates. Later, I cut the squares apart and tape them into the students' individual files. Another tip to save paper is to print this form on the back of used copy paper.

Formative Assessment: Sharing the Anecdotal Records

You can choose whether or not to share the results of this kind of formative assessment with your students. After compiling the notes and getting a picture of the students' strengths and weaknesses in a particular area, you can have a brief student-teacher conference using the anecdotal records as a guide for the conversation.

Anecdotal records are probably one of the simplest ways to use formative assessments in the classroom. Teachers as well as students benefit greatly from this effective classroom formative assessment practice.