Explain the Characteristics and the Importance and Benefits of Assessment for Learning.

Assessment for Learning is the process of seeking and interpreting evidence for use by learners and their teachers to decide where the learners are in their learning, where they need to go and how best to get there.

Assessment for learning promotes and makes the children take responsibility for their own learning. Explaining what they are aiming for in the lesson and keeps them on track of the WALT (What we Are Learning Today), read it to them to make sure they understand what they have to do. Throughout lessons children can keep going back to their learning objective. Pupils will need to consider their learning carefully throughout the process and keep coming back to the learning objective or what they are expected to learn.
Assessment for learning begins as pupils become aware of the goals of instruction and the criteria for performance. It involves goal setting, monitoring progress and reflecting on their own results.  

Assessment for learning can help the pupils understand the standards that they are aiming for and they able to provide feedback to the teacher what they have decided to assess themselves. Pupils are able to recognise that motivation and self-esteem is crucial for effective learning and progress and it can be increased by effective assessment techniques.

Children who are actively engrossed with their own progress will feel empowered to improve their performance as they will feel more ownership of their learning. Effective feedback also ensures that adults are supporting more and will be able to give them encouragement and the tools to achieve the best of their potential.