Assessment for Learning

Aldenham AfL projectPhase 2

Jessica Burger

How can you use an AfL approach in the classroom?

In pairs, draw the image above on A3 paperNow exchange with another pair and evaluate their work.What are the two main success criteria? Feed back to them.

Austin’s butterfly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqh1MRWZjms

Introduction to AfL – what has happened this year?

The AfL pilot group 2014-15Began with questions such as: “How can we improve classroom dialogue?”“What constitutes good feedback?”“How can we create active and responsible learners?”

Main areas of progress:• Growth mind-set amongst teachers• Greater reflection on teaching practice• Cultural shift – more collaborative teacher-pupil working• Increased use of success criteria and effective formative assessment• Greater pupil confidence and a sense of driving their own learning

Feedback – an example of using AfL

There are two main types of feedback from teacher to pupil:1. Focus is on the student as a good or bad achiever,

emphasising overall judgement by marks ‘It discourages the low attainers, but it also makes the high

attainers avoid tasks if they cannot see their way to success’

2. Focus is on the strengths and weaknesses of the work rather than the person, emphasising what needs to be done to improve. It is effective in helping the student see what needs to be done to do better next time, regardless of their errors the first time.

(Weeden and Lambert, 2006)

What impact does it have?Pupil feedback – Year 9 Geography class“I feel my technique and approach to longer questions has improved in terms of what the marks are for”

“We know what we have done well and what we need to do to improve next time”

“Having a grade and comment is useful as not only can we see where we see our progress but also where we can improve which helps!”

“We have a grade and comment, but just a comment would be better. I tend to just look at the grade”

What’s the best way to improve teaching?

Focus on learning.

And the best way to increase learning?

Move the focus off the teacher and onto the student.

David Kolb

The original King’s College project focused on how four methods made a difference in the classroom. Their findings are written up in ‘Working inside the black box’ (Black et al, 2002)

These were: Questioning Feedback through marking Peer and self assessment Formative use of summative tests

AfL in Physics – an example of formative use of summative tests

Phase 2 – buddy/mentor partnership We are looking for between 10-15 people to join the AfL group as

‘buddies’. They will be mentored by a member of the original pilot group.

Pilot group – approach individuals or send me an email jwburger@aldenham.com Meetings will take place on the following dates:

September 25th

November 10th

January 19th

March 8th Wider context – roll out school wide in the third and final phase. Greater

cultural shift in appreciation of the full benefits of Assessment for Learning

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