Unit 307, Outcome 1: Support Assessment for Learning

Assessment plays a significant role in the learning experience of students. It determines their progression through their programmes and enables them to demonstrate that they have achieved the intended learning outcomes. It is assessment that provides the main basis for public recognition of achievement, through the awarding of qualifications and/or credit.

Scotland re-evaluated assessment strategies which saw the Assessment is for learning (Aifl) initiative implemented in 2002 which aimed to improve children’s life chances through a more coherent system (Gov.scot, 2005). The revised system, A Framework for Assessment (BtC5), incorporates principles of Curriculum for Excellence (CFE) and the values of Aifl, which collectively aim to support pupil progression. Furthermore, they aim to build confident individuals and successful learners (Educationscotland.gov.uk, 2008) who are active participants in their own learning and set their own targets. However, ‘for this to be effective teachers need to build an intimate and detailed knowledge of their pupils’ thinking and assist them, with fairly specific advice and scaffolding, in achieving the next stage’ (Harris, 2007). Therefore, for formative assessment to effectively support learner attainment, teachers must have a detailed knowledge of pupil capability and support them progressively in developing their own metacognition.

As a tutor I will carry out various methods of assessment to maintain continuous improvement; I also involve my learners in the process.

A standard which has taken on a particular relevance to my job role whilst volunteering at St Margaret’s is Supporting Assessment for Learning. A few years ago, the school implemented a new marking and feedback policy. It sets out a framework within which teaching and support staff can operate and give guidance to the children and how children can evaluate their own and other’s learning.

In 1989 a group of voluntary researchers named the Assessment Reform group (ARG) were formed by the British Educational Research Association (BERA). The group had the task to take account of relevant research and evidence in regards to assessment for policy and practice. In 1996 BERA’s support ceased and was taken over by the Nuffield Foundation till the ARG dissolved in 2010. It was in 1996 that the foundation funded Paul Black and Dylan Wiliam members of the ARG to review literature on the use of assessment to help with learning. As a result, evidence was found that ‘formative assessment’ could help to improve learning and the findings were published under the title ‘Inside the black box’. The ARG was one of significant influences on the design of Scotland’s Assessment is for Learning (AfiL) initiative which aimed to develop assessment in learning in Scottish schools. This essay will discuss and explore how effective formative assessment of pupils’ progression can be carried out.

You need to know and understand: K1 the relationship between your own role and the role of the teacher within the learning environment your role and responsibilities for supporting pupils’ learning and the implications of this for the sort of support you can provide the school policies for inclusion and equality of opportunity, and the implication of these for how you work with pupils your experience and expertise in relation to supporting learning activities and how this relates to the planned activities the objectives of the learning activities to be supported the importance of planning and evaluation of learning activities the basic principles underlying child development and learning; the factors that promote effective learning; and the barriers to effective learning K8 K9 strategies to use for supporting pupils’ learning as individuals and in groups school policy on the use of praise, assistance, rewards and sanctions

There is a large variety of assessment methods available for assessing learners’ achievements. These include observation; questioning the learner; examining product evidence; discussion; witness testimony; looking at learner statements; recognising prior learning; simulated environment; skills tests; oral and written examinations; assignments; case studies and projects. Choosing the most appropriate assessment methods is vitally important, to help and support the learner and to ensure the job of the assessor is as straightforward, reliable and problem-free as possible.

However, these comments are something which can only become reality if practitioners are enquiring into their practice. On reflection, it is my opinion that as assessment is such a widely-debated idea that it should be enquired in a teacher practice on a regular basis. I feel that by just concentrating on effective questioning it has implicated my practice and made me feel more confident and knowledgeable. However, there are many other factors a teacher uses daily which can change the form of a child’s learning. Therefore, I feel another important next step in my practice would be to follow other formative assessment tools as a line of enquiry. Specifically, into LI and SC and understanding the most effective way to use this in the classroom, such as discussion or visibility. I feel that this next step would be a natural movement in the action research cycle (see Appendix 9).

This also includes giving clear, concise and accurate feedback to learners on their progress and achievement along with developmental comment. Any progress and achievement should be recorded in accordance with awarding

The function of assessment in learning and development is to provide a measurable way of planning and supporting students’ progress. Assessment is carried out by means of checks and tests carried out throughout the course. Assessors should provide feedback throughout ensuring that learning is occurring and the learner is at the correct level. It is also important that assessor’s decisions are also consistently reviewed and internally and externally verified.

Assessment is often thought of as a punitive exercise. But the purpose of assessment is to ensure that students meet specific standards of progress and to rectify learning deficits before a child falls too far behind. Assessment can also identify a child's strengths as well as his or her weaknesses. As well as comparing the child's performance with his or her peers, the teacher can assess specific learning needs, learning styles, interests, aptitudes, and other critical components of the child's developing learning personality.

Assessment is a valuable tool to measure students learning and achievement. It is an essential element for teacher to reflect on what and how they teach. To assess students is to collect evidence of their learning. Teachers use the information to modify their lesson plans and adjust their instructional methods; students need feedback on their performance to concentrate on their vulnerable areas. Assessment is necessary for parents to reinforce their children strength and assist them where extra attention is required. The data collected will inform school

Assessment is carried out to ensure that learning has taken place. It measures the learner’s knowledge and skills in their learning area. Assessment encourages learners to ask questions on anything they have not fully understood, as learners know that they will have to prove their knowledge and understanding to the standards of the awarding body.

On the other hand, a learner might benefit from a verbal examination rather than written questions while another learner might prefer to be assessed bilingually. This would then mean liaising with other members of staff or the awarding organisation to make acceptability of such options (Gravells, 2014, P171). Furthermore, mentors, workplace supervisors and witnesses alike usually need details of the learner’s progress while relevant support staff will also need information about the learner so to give any required help and guidance. Overall, everyone who is involved with a particular learner needs to be aware of that learner’s progress and achievement by having a regular communication (Gravells, 2014, p171). Assessment sometimes involved a learner assessing their own work and is known as self-assessment while on the other hand, learners/ students can assess one another in a process known as peer assessment. Such methods of assessment give confidence to learners to be accountable for their learning and assessment as well as taking a decision about what they have been taught already. However, the learners will need to be wholly aware of what it is that they are required to assess i.e. the assessment criteria, the importance of being objective in their assessment and how they could give a constructive feedback to those that they assessed. While giving feedback, it is very important to make sure that

The same test was completed by all students for consistency which allowed analysis of the student’s results. I was able to form a direct comparison on the direction of learning and individual needs. This formative assessment allowed me to determine and support the student 's abilities throughout the unit of work (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2007) while allowing me to determine the direction of learning for myself and my students (Victoria Department of education PowerPoint, p.4-6)