Dx

I’ve just realized that Diagnostic assessment is very important yet often neglected. This is a pre-assessment that allows a teacher to determine two things: (1) learners’ current knowledge on a topic to be studied in the course and (2) students’ individual strengths, weaknesses, knowledge and skills prior to instruction. Diagnostic information gathered can be used to guide lesson and curriculum planning. However, some teachers may choose to use their old lesson plans year after year after year. Diagnostic information can also be used in diagnosing students’ individual learning needs and used as basis in developing students self- assessment portfolio. Diagnostic assessment is not applied anymore in big classes due to the difficulty in diagnosing every single student. The consequences of neglecting this form of assessment is inadequate coverage of subject matter, use of instruction strategies that is ill adapted to the learning capabilities of students and failure to develop in the learner responsibility to their own learning. The result is poor attainment of learning outcomes and wasted time and effort in instruction.