how might an assessment method hinder or help a community of learners
within a classroom situation?

Google Answers discourages and may remove questions that are homework
or exam assignments.

just to confirm that this is not an assignment. I am actually a design
technology teacher and am trying to refine my teaching and assessment
methods. You may be aware that the classroom is constantly evolving as
a result of the chaning values and needs of society. it is therefore
my reponsibility to constantly research and refine my methadology.

I am very upset that Politicalguru-ga has placed such a comment in my
question , to discourage any possible responses i might have receive.

the concept  "community of learners" is probably found on the internet
more that anywhere else, where people share info. If you discourage it
, you are obsolete and need to submit to change.

if someone even posted an exam question on google,how do you know that
this is not just one method of secondary research to support or
contradict previous research done.

political guru-ga please refrain from commenting on my question if you
do not have an opinion or suggestion.

As a veteran teacher, I can tell you the correct answer depends on
specifically what assessment method is used, a detailed summary of the
 specific impact of each method, a complete understanding of your
students and the specific classroom situation. Without the added
information it is impossible to correctly answer your question.