Enhanced Learning Through Assessment BELIZE LITERACY PROJECT WHAT TEACHERS CAN UTILIZE FOR IMPROVED ASSESSMENT?

Assessment for Learning

INTENDED LEARING OUTCOMES  Expand awareness of assessment for learning principles  Explore strategies for implementation  Initiate action plans

Purpose  Student achievement  Teacher energy  Best practices  Bad habits  Transforming learning  Research support  Accountability focus  Parent support

Current Understandings What do I know about assessment for learning?

Black and William Research  Improved learning by: Involve students in assessment process Increase descriptive feedback Decrease evaluation types of feedback (grades) “No need to focus on evaluation if strong planning is in place.”

Good teaching starts with the Curriculum  Begin with the general learner outcomes  Move to specific learner outcomes  Focus instruction on student outcomes  Inform and involve students  Guard against going beyond the curriculum  ‘Series’ Smarts  Grade level smarts

Exemplars and Models  Collect and post Grade level appropriate Include a range of possibilities Explain to students

Evidence of Learning  How can students best demonstrate what they have learned?  Focus on what they know not where they are deficit  Multiple data: Observations Products Conversations

Consider…..  Range of possibilities (DI)  Involve students  Share criteria BEFORE students begin assessment activity  Multiple data: Observations, products, conversations

10 Steps to Assessment (Anne Davies, 2003) 1.Explain purpose 2.Show samples 3.Set, use, share criteria 4.Self Assessment 5.Revisiting criteria 6.Feedback for learning – how student improves 7.Setting goals 8.Collecting evidence 9.Communicating using evidence 10.Continuing learning

Do More of….  Discussing relevance of learning  Involving student choice (projects)  Students working with each other  Students doing assessment  Clarification of learning outcomes  Observing students learn  Expecting all students to excel  Work portfolios  Rubrics

Do less of….  Group testing  Marking  Competitive element  Class averages  Timed activities  Whole class assignments

Hotspots ….  Class averages  Cumulative grades  Tests given before exam  Retests  Bell curves  Open book tests  Letter grades, percentages

Getting started…  Accessing resources  PLC – teaming  Teacher confidence – they know GLE  Patience  Recognize long term benefits  Evolution not revolution

Celebrate the journey