Checklists

Description:

A checklist is a tool that allows teachers and students to gather information regarding demonstration of specific criteria related to a learning outcome. Usually the checklist is in a yes/no format, and therefore is very quick and easy to use, offering information at a glance. A checklist may be used to record observations of an individual, a group or a whole class.

Unlike a rubric, which offers a continuum of achievement descriptions, a checklist is a list of components. It is most suitable for tasks or observations that have a definitive answer – either the criteria are met or not met. Checklists can be used by an observer (typically an educator, but could be another student) or as a self-assessment tool.

Following is an example of a checklist, taken from a Grade One sample outcome assessment . ¹

Upper elementary or high school teachers and students may find checklists particularly useful when assessing math projects. Checklists may be a type of formative assessment, for example, has the student included the required elements of the project, listed in the checklist. The following example is a checklist that could be used for a game design project. Additional checklists could be developed and used when a teacher observes students playing the math game, with the items on the checklist corresponding to the objectives of the math game.