Informal assessment

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Teachers use informal assessment throughout the teaching and learning cycle to gather evidence about how students learn and what they know. Informal assessment includes activities undertaken and anecdotal evidence gathered throughout the teaching and learning process in a less prescribed manner than formal assessment.

These activities provide evidence for teachers and inform feedback to students in relation to improving their learning. Informal assessment may include a range of strategies including class work and work in progress, questioning, class discussion, group work, observations and monitoring, student self-evaluation and reflection, and peer feedback.

Recording evidence of learning

While it is not a requirement to record evidence of student learning gathered through informal assessment strategies, it may assist teachers to:

evaluate student progress in relation to the syllabus outcomes and content
decide what needs to be taught next, and at what level of detail to assist students in their learning
determine any adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment
form a judgement of student achievement throughout the year including progress, strengths and areas for improvement
monitor the effectiveness of teaching and learning programs.