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Exploring the assessment process in an inclusive classroom : a case study

Thesis (Med) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A problem facing many educators in inclusive classrooms is the process of
assessment. This study explores the assessment process in an inclusive classroom
(that is, classroom-based assessment) and the learners' experience of it. A
qualitative research study was done at a private (community) primary school, using a
case study approach. A combination of data collection and analysis methods was
used. The qualitative nature and context of the study prohibit generalisations and
confine findings largely to this study.
Assessment is a broad subject touching almost all aspects of education. There have
been many influences on assessment practice and the background to assessment
was examined to identify these influences and the debates around assessment
practice. What emerged was that assessment has many purposes linked mainly to
the motivation for doing assessment and assumptions about learning. Essentially the
debate centres on the purpose of assessment in education and the need to change
the way it is viewed and used. Traditional assessment practice was influenced
enormously by intelligence testing and historically its main role has been evaluating
learning outcomes for the purpose of certification and selection. This purpose has
obscured the role of assessment in facilitating learning. Recent research has
indicated its importance in this respect.
As our views of learning change, so the need to change our approach to assessment
arises. Inclusion also challenges our education practices and the assumptions we
make about the learning process. Learning is a complex process that is influenced by
many factors including context. Assessment should thus be used in support of
learning, rather than just indicating current or past achievement.
Many learners especially those experiencing barriers to learning are frustrated with
the assessment process, which often discriminates against them. Research shows
that assessment is not just about grading and evaluation but also about
understanding the individual and the process. Planning an effective education
programme should thus include planning effective assessment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Assessering in die inklusiewe klaskamer is 'n bron van bekommernis vir baie
opvoeders. Die assesseringsproses in 'n inklusiewe klas en leerders se belewenis
daarvan word in hierdie werkstuk ondersoek. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingstudie is in 'n
privaat (gemeenskap) primêreskool deur middel van 'n gevallestudie gedoen om die
assesseringsproses in 'n inklusiewe klas te verken. 'n Saamgestelde aantal
dataversamelings- en ontledingsmetodes is gebruik. Die konteks en kwalitatiewe
aard van die studie beperk die bevindinge en verhoed dus veralgemenings.
Assessering dek 'n breë vakgebied wat heelwat aspekte van opvoeding aanraak.
Daar was baie invloede op die assesseringspraktyk, en die agtergrond daarvan,
asook die debatte hieromtrent is ondersoek. Wat voorgekom het, is dat daar heelwat
redes aangevoer word om assessering te doen, wat meestal gekoppel is aan die
motivering vir assessering, en/of vooropgestelde idees rondom die leerproses.
Hoofsaaklik draai die debatte om die doel van assessering in opvoeding en die
noodsaaklikheid daarvan om die sienswyse en gebruik daarvan te verander.
Tradisionele assesseringspraktyke is heelwat deur intelligensietoetsing beïnvloed en
was histories behep met evaluering van leeruitkomstes met die hoofdoelop
sertifisering en keuring. Dié manier van assessering het die leerproses oorskadu en
verduister. Onlangse navorsing dui op die belangrikheid hiervan.
Soos ons sienswyse van leer verander, so ook moet ons benadering tot assessering
verander. Insluiting bied 'n uitdaging aan ons onderwyspraktyk en ons
voorveronderstellinge aangaande die leerproses. Leer is 'n ingewikkelde proses wat
deur baie faktore, insluitend konteksverband, beïnvloed word. Assessering moet as
ondersteuning vir die leerproses gebruik word en nie net om huidige en vorige
prestasie aan te dui nie.
Baie leerders, veral dié wat leerhindernisse ondervind, vind die assesseringsproses
frustrerend en bevooroordeeld. Navorsing toon dat assessering nie net oor gradering
en evaluering gaan nie, maar ook oor 'n begrip van die persoon en proses.
Doeltreffende onderrigprogrambeplanning noodsaak dus ook effektiewe
assesseringsbeplanning.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/97584
Date03 1900
CreatorsKuhnert, Annalise
ContributorsHall, R., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Curriculum Studies
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format133 pages
RightsStellenbosch University

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