Four elements of informal assessment

Observation

Observing learner characteristics and manifestations in the learning environment can be a valuable resource for practitioners to gain a better understanding of their learners. As practitioners use this technique, it will help them to fine tune the process and recognize learning disability struggles efficiently.

Checklists

The checklist is one of the most frequently used tools in the screening process. The checklist is more of an indication of a potential learning disability; further assessment is required to understand the type and impact of the learning disability. Checklists are easy and quick tools. They provide a number of symptoms or behaviours, which adults with learning disabilities might exhibit. If learners exhibit a number of the characteristics, they may have potential learning disabilities.

Authentic skill or task demonstration and analysis

Practitioners frequently practice this type of informal assessment and are quite comfortable with it. When practitioners assess learner's task demonstrations and work samples, a number of samples should be assessed to find consistent error patterns and variances in performance under different circumstances.

Intensive interview or self-report questionnaire

Learner self-assessments should be used throughout the process. This form of assessment is very valuable during the screening process and helps to set the stage for developing trusting relationships with learners. Learners will begin to view their role as active not passive in the assessment process. Valuable insights can be gained by understanding learners' past experiences and learning histories. If adults experienced similar learning challenges when they were younger as they do now, then their literacy challenges may be a result of a learning disability and not that they simply just need more exposure and practice through literacy instruction.²²