Self-assessment: the use of self-report knowledge and opportunity to learn inventories

Abstract

Self-assessment is offered as one direction in the current student assessment reform. The rationale, tools, practices and outcomes of self-assessment are described and are based on 15 years of experience in Hawaii and Israel. Two instruments, the Self-Report Knowledge Inventory (SRKI) and the Opportunity To Learn Inventory (OTLI) are described and selected results which provide evidence for validity and reliability are presented. Both instruments were found to be 'friendly', relatively easy to design, easy to respond to, easy to score, time-saving, non-threatening, valid and reliable for comparing and making decisions on groups of learners. They are especially useful as a pre-test, where they serve as a rough but quick indicator of students' prior knowledge of concepts and skills, including preconceptions and misconceptions. In addition they have the unique virtue of developing the habit of reflection and self-evaluation, which is in itself an extremely valuable educational aim.