One way to begin to get the learner involved in self-assessment is to encourage her to take a role in completing the progress reports that are submitted to program staff. Instead of the tutor filling out the forms on her own, she should go over the report with the learner and include her comments and observations. If the learner is comfortable with writing, this can be also be a learning activity. If the learner isn’t able to write out her own comments, she can dictate them to the tutor — this can also be a learning activity!

Sometimes, the learner might know he has made progress but he won’t be able to identify a specific skill he has mastered. It is less important that he be able to identify each skill than it is for him to understand how he is using his learning, but if he would like to know more about skill sets, levels and learning outcomes, The Level Descriptions Manual is a good source of information. A staff member should also be consulted if the tutor and learner need help in this area.

One thing to be sure to talk about is the importance of being honest but not brutal when self-assessing. Most people are harder on themselves than others are, and learners need to be reminded that they don’t need to identify every little thing they are doing wrong. Instead, they should look for what they are doing right and build on those strengths. A good way to learn how to do this is for both the tutor and the learner to assess a particular lesson or skill separately and then compare results. Often the learner will be harder on herself than the tutor was. This activity can be repeated many times and provides a good way for the learner to become more comfortable with self-assessment. The tutor can also use information from this activity to prepare future lesson plans.

It is important to follow up on the learner’s comments or ideas. For example, if she mentions that she doesn’t really understand the meaning of a certain word, the tutor can use the word in a variety of sentences to better demonstrate its meaning. Or, if the learner indicates that she is struggling with how to calculate a percentage, the next lesson could focus on the cost savings of a 15% off sale. By paying attention to, and incorporating, the learner’s suggestions and concerns the tutor will validate the benefits of self-assessment. This in turn will encourage the learner to expand her role in her own assessment and become a more active participant in her own learning.