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?

Fill in the Blanks

What HSC verb asks students to list components, describe characteristics and features, explain impacts and purposes, provide examples and make a judgement

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?