Using Assessment to Support Learning

Working towards a goal

​Using assessment to reach student learning goals

-understanding students' point of need and using the craft of the profession to meet that need!

​What it is!

-not a learning intention
-not the same for all students
-not more work for the teacher student!

What it is NOT

What is a student learning goal?

Assessment

​Not AOLs and AFLs

Assessments should not be part of this dichotomy -the tension is unnecessary (Black&Wiliam, 2018)
Assessments are, among other things, tools to improve practice
What are the "other things"?

​Thoughts?

​Here's an example...

Jack has $15. He loses some. How much does he have left?

Here are some reflection questions-
-do our exams reflect this?
-are our exams sometimes too easy? too hard? or just not effective?
-do we actually evaluate our exams/assessments?

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​Looks familiar!

​Assessment design...

Mary had a little lamb. Her fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go!

Poll

Suppose this was a student's response- what HSC verb must have been the question?

"The lamb was white "

• describe

• explain

• assess

• analyse

Poll

Suppose this was a student's response, what must have been the HSC verb i the question

"The lamb was white because Mary had just washed it"?

• explain

• propose

• predict

• justify

Poll

What must have the HSC verb been in the the question if this is a student's response

"Mary is a shepherdess. Unfortunately, some of the lambs have developed severe dependency issues, almost to the point of stalking as provided by the example in the text. I recommend Mary gets herself a sheep dog as it would protect her from dangerous lambs"

• justify

• propose

• evaluate

• discuss

Match

Which description belongs to which verb?

• identify points for and against

• show by example

• make a judgement based on criteria

• support an argument or conclusion

• identify components and relationships

discuss

demonstrate

evaluate

justify

analyse

• discuss

• demonstrate

• evaluate

• justify

• analyse

Can we design tasks, that recognise the students' point of need, and enable them to improve by hopping from one verb to another?

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​Lilypads and frog jumping!

Discuss the impacts of polymers on today's world

​Final Lilypad

-Identify polymers in real world
-Describe how polymers are made
-Compare and contrast between polymers and short chained molecules

​Precursor Lilypads

Example -Chemistry

Explain the feelings of identity that Dorothea Mackellar has about Australia in "My Country" and how does she use language to convey these feelings?

Final Lilypad

-Describe?
-Classify?
-List?
-Identify?

Precursor Lilypads

Example- Yr 7 ENGLISH

​Using assessment to reach learning goals

Ask yourself-
-who am I aiming this task at?
-what are the needs of this student?
-what do I need to do to build the necessary structures to help them reach the tree top?