Formal and informal modes of assessment in physical education

Assessment has always been an integral part of good teaching in physical education. Effective physical education teachers identify clear learning objectives and gather evidence on the extent to which those learning objectives are achieved. Such evidence provides a basis for feedback. Feedback can be given to pupils so that sound practice can be reinforced and mistakes corrected. It also provides information to the teacher on whether learning objectives are set at an appropriate level of difficulty and provides a basis from which appropriate adjustments to the challenging nature of learning materials can be made.