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Assessment & Evaluation of Student Learning

Students are provided with opportunities to demonstrate the highest level of their achievement of the expectations in the four achievement categories. The weighting of the categories should comply with the board or school plan.

The weighting applies to evaluations conducted throughout the course (70%) and the final evaluation (30%). The assessment and evaluation for Unit 6 is intended to be counted as final evaluation in addition to a final exam. Application of knowledge skills is a key component of a Computer and Information Science course. A part of the final unit is a joint student/teacher-designed final programming project that brings together many expectations of the course. Students use the software design life cycle to define the solution, analyse needs, plan a solution, and implement and test the solution. This final project is a chance for students to demonstrate the application of acquired knowledge and skills and to use thinking and inquiry skills in the problem-solving process. Sample final projects are: a movie reservation system, a graphics- or text-based game, a programmed tutorial on a computer or non-computer topic, a simulated banking system, and a program designed for a school function, such as event scheduling or a student council record-keeping system.

Expectations are listed in the first unit where they apply. Some expectations are repeated in subsequent units/activities where appropriate.

Students are assessed and evaluated using the following strategies:

Diagnostic: 

at the beginning of a term, a unit of study, or whenever information about prior learning is useful.

• unit pre-tests;

• skill inventory.

Formative: 

during learning, ongoing feedback to students of their strengths, weaknesses, and achievement of the expectations.

• communication through journals;

• self-assessment rubrics;

• checklists for programming problems;

• student/teacher conferencing;

• observation;

• peer assessment rubrics;

• quizzes;

• anecdotal comments with suggestions for improvement.

Summative: 

at the end of a learning process.

• classroom presentations;

• quizzes, tests, unit tests, final exam;

• assignments and projects evaluated using rubrics;

• culminating challenges.

Source: Public and Catholic District School Board Writing Partnership,  Course Profile: Computer and Information Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation ICS3U, Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2001, adapted.