Understanding Learners and Adapting Teaching: Diagnostic Assessment

In many classrooms, learners are working at very different levels, even when they are in the same grade level or learning group. Some learners may have strong foundations for new learning, while others may struggle because they have missed key learning, experienced disruption, or need more time and support.

To teach effectively, teachers first need to understand where learners are in their learning. Without this understanding, lessons may be too difficult for some learners, too easy for others, or fail to address important gaps in foundational knowledge and skills.

Diagnostic assessment provides a practical way to gather information about learners before new learning begins. It helps teachers identify what learners already know, what they can do, common misconceptions, and areas where additional support may be needed. When used effectively, diagnostic assessment can improve lesson planning, support more targeted teaching, and help create more equitable learning opportunities for all learners.

This course introduces the principles and practice of diagnostic assessment and provides practical guidance on how teachers can plan, administer, analyze, and use diagnostic assessments in their classrooms. Participants will explore different approaches to collecting learning evidence and learn how diagnostic assessment can inform instructional decision-making.

This course introduces the principles and practice of diagnostic assessment and provides practical guidance on how teachers can plan, administer, analyze, and use diagnostic assessments in their classrooms. Participants will explore different approaches to collecting learning evidence and learn how diagnostic assessment can inform instructional decision-making.

This course is the first in a UNESCO learning series on Understanding Learners and Adapting Teaching. (Link to be added.)

The companion course, Understanding Learners and Adapting Teaching: Differentiated Teaching and Learning builds directly on the concepts introduced here. While this course focuses on understanding learners through diagnostic assessment, the second course explores how teachers can respond to learner needs by adapting instruction, learning activities, grouping, and support.

Together, the two courses provide a practical pathway for teachers: first understanding learners’ needs through diagnostic assessment and then using that information to respond to learners’ needs through differentiated teaching and learning to make teaching more responsive, inclusive, and effective.