The ultimate aim of education is to produce lifelong, independent learners. An essential component of autonomous learning is the ability to assess one's own progress and deficiencies. Student self-assessment should be incorporated into every evaluation process. Its specific form may vary with the developmental level of the student, but the very youngest students can begin to examine and evaluate their own behavior and accomplishments.
Instead of grading all assignments, allow students to correct some themselves. You may choose to randomly collect these and check for accuracy.
Share the specific evaluation criteria (or rubric) students should employ in assessing various tasks or assignments.
Provide them with criteria checksheets (or have the class generate them) that specify exactly what constitutes a good product. Provide models of successful products, answers, or performances. These might be tacked to the bulletin board, in a display case, or on videotape. It is best to share the model before students begin the project. For creative activities, avoid encouraging students to simply copy someone else's product. It is helpful to lead students through an evaluation of the outstanding model, using the evaluation criteria to demonstrate why the model is an exemplar. To minimize peer pressure or harassment, it is generally best to use a previous student's work for the model rather than a current student's
.
Attempt to schedule individual sessions to discuss a student's progress. Have the student evaluate his or her own performance. Encourage the student to apply specific criteria in making the self-assessment.
"Independence, creativity, and self-reliance are all facilitated when self-criticism and
self-evaluation are basic and evaluation by others is of secondary importance."
–Carl Rogers
