Ongoing Learning: Formative Assessment

Application – Criteria

Evaluation

Good learning experiences = good assessments

Observable outcomes = Valid Assessments

What is an assessment?

· The application of criteria to determine the effectiveness of learning to obtain a measure of performance towards an outcome.

· The measure can be recorded in the marks book to provide evidence on progress in a chosen category of learning.

What is evaluation?

· An evaluation is a process that determines the value of the learning, and the quality of the outcomes.

· The Curriculum Framework outcome statements are used to evaluate the quality of the learning.

· An evaluation is an ‘on balance judgement’ based on the collective evidence gathered from a range of learning experiences / assessments.

Learning experiences – that have inherent assessments

Good learning experiences are the basis for good assessments.

The ‘Dynamic Strategies Cycle’ creates activities that are valuable learning experiences and the basis for good assessments.

Planned learning experiences have observable behaviours / outcomes that are the basis for effective assessment. They are valid (because they are the learning)

Learning process that are also assessment processes include:

· Goal setting – capacity to ask good questions, identify issues, select topics..

· Identifying relevant information, gaining, organizing and recording information.

· Processing the new information / experience: thinking, interpreting, analysing.

· Organising the information.

· Using the information, applying, problem solving,

· Presenting, communicating new understandings

· Evaluating. Reflecting. Appreciating.

Assessment Criteria

· Every assessment requires criteria.

· This criteria is then applied to the learning experience

· An instrument or technique is used to apply the criteria eg rubric, checklist, information observation, performance, product, conferencing, journal writing, portfolio, problem solving exercise.

Recording instruments

Various methods of recording the criteria and assessment including:

· Progress map matrix: strand / level. Tick, date, initial, colour coding.

· Checklists – based on assessment criteria

· Record sheet

· Observation grid

· Rating proforma