Innovative methods of self-assessment of primary school students' learning activities in European countries

Abstract

The article analyzes the European experience of implementation and experimental research of innovative methods of self-assessment of learning activities in primary schools.

         The interpretation of the term “self-assessment” used by European scientists and the stages of the process of self-assessment of learning activities are presented.

         In accordance with the objectives of the article, which are to study effective examples of the use of innovative methods of self-assessment of learning activities in primary school in Europe from the late ХХ century to the present and to identify the advantages and weaknesses of these methods, the article analyzes such self-assessment methods as rubrics, portfolios (including electronic ones), checklists and reflective reports. Using the example of research by Finnish, Spanish and Greek scholars, the article shows how the use of these tools affects students' performance, self-esteem and motivation to learn.

         The paper highlights the advantages of innovative self-assessment methods over traditional assessment, namely: students' understanding of success criteria, reduced assessment anxiety, active involvement of students in the educational process and development of reflective skills; and also identifies their weaknesses: the need for additional time and effort by teachers, a long process of teaching self-assessment in primary school, and a weak connection with traditional assessment methods. The last of these disadvantages is related to the reaction of distrust shown by teachers during the first attempts to introduce self-assessment of learning activities.

         The study concludes that innovative methods of self-assessment of learning activities in primary school, although still relatively new to European pedagogy and still under research, have already justified the feasibility of their use, and therefore have significant potential for borrowing and improving the educational process in Ukrainian primary school.