Here are three things that I believe about assessment based on how I assess students in a virtual environment:
1) My favorite way to assess students is by working with them one-on-one or in small groups. In an online environment, I enjoy being able to meet with my students virtually and review math concepts and practice problems together. When I am able to see a student perform the work and see what kind of questions they ask, I truly get a good idea about where my students are at in their learning and what they understand. I believe that dialoguing and interacting with students is a great way to assess them.
2) Assessment is more typically done with my students asynchronously using various tools, such as daily quick checks, quizzes, tests, discussion assignments and portfolios. I believe that it is important to use a combination of different types of assessments in order to evaluate student learning.
3) I believe that assessment should be done frequently. In order to progress through a course or a lesson and build upon what is being taught, teachers must understand where their students are at, what they struggle with and what they are doing well.