Task 1: Diagnostic Assessment Interview

 For this task, you will need to arrange to interview your MST at a time convenient to her. The focus of this task is to
understand:
- what diagnostic assessment has taken place this school year in your class,
- who developed the diagnostic assessment (teachers, school management, ADEC/MOE, etc.),
- how the diagnostic assessment was carried out,
- what the purpose of that diagnostic assessment was/is, and
- what decisions the teacher made as a result of the diagnostic assessment.

 You need to prepare a minimum of 10 questions prior to the interview. You may add additional questions during the
interview based on your teachers responses, i.e. to clarify answers or garner further information.

 You will need to record your teacher’s responses – use the strategy that works best for you. If you are using a voice
recording device, you MUST inform your MST.

 The interview must be typed and included in your Portfolio.

 You may develop your own questions specific to your context, however the following may give you some ideas.

Example Interview Questions

1. What diagnostic assessment has taken place this semester? Students take diagnostic
assessments at the beginning of each semester.
2. When did this occur? The students take one diagnostic assessment this semester and it
included spelling, phonics, grammar, comprehension and vocabulary.
3. What types of assessments were conducted? students have taken written test, listening,
and oral.
4. Who developed these assessments? The lead teacher of grade 4 develops the
assessment.
5. Who conducted the assessments? (classroom teacher, Arabic teacher, classroom
assistant, etc.) The English teacher conducts the assessment.
6. Were the assessments completed by students individually? All tests are completed by
students individually.
7. What information did you hope to get from the assessments? The information usually
tells us if the student has reached the level we require or if the student needs a special
attention.
8. What decisions did you make based on the assessments? Making decisions in grouping
the students in the class. Also, knowing the students levels will give the opportunity to
engage the students in different activities. And it helps to make decisions in planning.

9. How did you group your students? (same/different academic levels, friendship groups,
similar interests, etc.) Students are grouped by level - above-intermediate and below.

10. Do the groups change for different learning subjects/topics? Sometimes the groups
change depending on the given assessment. Some students may develop and need to
move to another group.
After the Task - Reflection
Reflect on the interview and the information gained about diagnostic assessment from your MST. Consider
how/why you would implement diagnostic assessment in a UAE primary classroom in the future. Explain how
this practice will affect student learning in a primary class.

Diagnostic assessment is important for both students and teachers. As a teacher I would
use diagnostic assessments by implementing a quiz at the beginning of the year or the
semester. And it would be about the grade that they were in. for example if they are starting
grade 5 the quiz will include grade 4 content and some grade 5 content. And this will helps me
to know the students well and their level. Moreover, I think it is important for planning.
Diagnostic assessment is essential for the students because it tells the learners existing
knowledge and they and review and analyse it. It also helps the students to know where and
what they should focus on.