IOP3701
Assignment 4 Semester 2 2024
Unique #:
Due Date: October 2024
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
Dynamic assessment (DA) is an approach to evaluation that integrates a learning
process within the assessment itself to measure not only a person’s current level
of performance but also their potential for future development. Rooted in Vygotsky’s
(1978) theory of the "zone of proximal development," DA distinguishes between
what a person can achieve independently and what they can achieve with
assistance. This makes DA a unique method as it evaluates the learning process
and cognitive growth, rather than just a static snapshot of ability at a given moment.
Dynamic assessment is interactive, incorporating feedback and intervention, and
seeks to assess how much an individual can improve with guided support.
In contrast, traditional assessment methods, such as standardized tests, are static.
They provide a one-time measure of a person’s abilities without considering the
potential for improvement through intervention or guidance. Traditional
assessments focus on past learning and provide a fixed result that compares the
individual to a norm group. These tests do not incorporate any learning or
developmental phase and do not assess how an individual could respond to future
learning opportunities.
Applying Dynamic Assessment to Sam’s Academic Struggles
In Sam’s case, dynamic assessment could be particularly useful in identifying his
learning potential. Given his struggles with academic pressures and declining
performance, DA can provide insights into whether his academic difficulties stem
from a lack of opportunity to fully develop his cognitive abilities or from underlying
issues such as anxiety. By incorporating a learning phase within the assessment
process, DA can help evaluate how Sam responds to feedback, guidance, and
instructional interventions. This approach could highlight areas where Sam might
have untapped potential and determine strategies to enhance his learning capacity.
For example, DA could be used to assess Sam’s cognitive functioning by
presenting him with problem-solving tasks and providing guided feedback to see
how much he improves. The results could then help design targeted interventions,
such as academic support or cognitive training, to address his specific needs and
unlock his potential for higher academic performance.
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 4 Semester 2 2024
Unique #:
Due Date: October 2024
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
Dynamic assessment (DA) is an approach to evaluation that integrates a learning
process within the assessment itself to measure not only a person’s current level
of performance but also their potential for future development. Rooted in Vygotsky’s
(1978) theory of the "zone of proximal development," DA distinguishes between
what a person can achieve independently and what they can achieve with
assistance. This makes DA a unique method as it evaluates the learning process
and cognitive growth, rather than just a static snapshot of ability at a given moment.
Dynamic assessment is interactive, incorporating feedback and intervention, and
seeks to assess how much an individual can improve with guided support.
In contrast, traditional assessment methods, such as standardized tests, are static.
They provide a one-time measure of a person’s abilities without considering the
potential for improvement through intervention or guidance. Traditional
assessments focus on past learning and provide a fixed result that compares the
individual to a norm group. These tests do not incorporate any learning or
developmental phase and do not assess how an individual could respond to future
learning opportunities.
Applying Dynamic Assessment to Sam’s Academic Struggles
In Sam’s case, dynamic assessment could be particularly useful in identifying his
learning potential. Given his struggles with academic pressures and declining
performance, DA can provide insights into whether his academic difficulties stem
from a lack of opportunity to fully develop his cognitive abilities or from underlying
issues such as anxiety. By incorporating a learning phase within the assessment
process, DA can help evaluate how Sam responds to feedback, guidance, and
instructional interventions. This approach could highlight areas where Sam might
have untapped potential and determine strategies to enhance his learning capacity.
For example, DA could be used to assess Sam’s cognitive functioning by
presenting him with problem-solving tasks and providing guided feedback to see
how much he improves. The results could then help design targeted interventions,
such as academic support or cognitive training, to address his specific needs and
unlock his potential for higher academic performance.
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
