Assessment for Assessment for Learning (AfL)Learning (AfL)

‘‘The important thing is not that every child The important thing is not that every child is taught but that is given the wish to is taught but that is given the wish to learn.’learn.’John Lubbock 1832John Lubbock 1832

AimAim

To develop understanding To develop understanding of the language of AfL.of the language of AfL.

The Big PictureThe Big Picture

The two main forms of assessment are The two main forms of assessment are formative and summative.formative and summative.

FORMATIVE furthers the learning.FORMATIVE furthers the learning. SUMMATIVE determines what has been SUMMATIVE determines what has been

learnt.learnt. BOTH HAVE A PLACE IN SCHOOLS.BOTH HAVE A PLACE IN SCHOOLS.

The Big PictureThe Big Picture Black & William’s (1998) famous review of the literature about Black & William’s (1998) famous review of the literature about

formative assessment established that engaging in formative formative assessment established that engaging in formative assessment raises attainment and equips children to be lifelong assessment raises attainment and equips children to be lifelong learners. learners.

Improving learning through assessment depends on:Improving learning through assessment depends on:1.1. Provision of effective feedback.Provision of effective feedback.2.2. Active involvement of pupils in their own learning.Active involvement of pupils in their own learning.3.3. Adjusting teaching to take account of pupils assessments.Adjusting teaching to take account of pupils assessments.4.4. A recognition of the profound influence assessment has on motivation A recognition of the profound influence assessment has on motivation

and self esteem.and self esteem.5.5. The need for pupils to assess themselves and understand how to The need for pupils to assess themselves and understand how to

improve.improve.Inside the Black Box can be downloaded from Inside the Black Box can be downloaded from www.qca.org.uk

AfL philosophy and strategies are now an integral part of the British AfL philosophy and strategies are now an integral part of the British curriculum Literacy, Numeracy and EYFS strategies.curriculum Literacy, Numeracy and EYFS strategies.

The aims of AfLThe aims of AfL

To develop motivated learners.To develop motivated learners. To promote independence.To promote independence. Encourage quality dialogue about learning.Encourage quality dialogue about learning. Nurture self-esteem of learners.Nurture self-esteem of learners. Improve planning and evaluating skills.Improve planning and evaluating skills. Help all learners make informed decisions Help all learners make informed decisions

about next ‘learning steps.’about next ‘learning steps.’ To encourage students to take greater To encourage students to take greater

responsibility for their learning.responsibility for their learning.

The key elements of AfLThe key elements of AfL

AfL consists of four basic elements, AfL consists of four basic elements, underpinned by confidence that every underpinned by confidence that every child can improve and an awareness of child can improve and an awareness of the importance of children’s high self-the importance of children’s high self-esteem. A collaborative learning esteem. A collaborative learning environment is at the core of AfL.environment is at the core of AfL.

The four key elements of The four key elements of AfLAfL

Active involvement of the learner

Sharing Learning Objectives and Success

CriteriaEffective Questioning

Effective Feedback Self and Peer Evaluation

StrategiesStrategiesSchool:School: Class community builders.Class community builders. Talking partners.Talking partners. Open questioning with appropriate wait time.Open questioning with appropriate wait time. Clear learning objectives.Clear learning objectives. Clear success criteria.Clear success criteria. Positive and constructive feedback, relevant to the LO Positive and constructive feedback, relevant to the LO

e.g. 2 stars and a wish, tickled pink, green for growth, e.g. 2 stars and a wish, tickled pink, green for growth, next step comments.next step comments.

Opportunities for self and peer evaluation, e.g. thumb Opportunities for self and peer evaluation, e.g. thumb tool, green – go, tool, green – go, , Success criteria review., Success criteria review.

Final reviewFinal review

Thumb tool - do you feel like you have a Thumb tool - do you feel like you have a improved understanding of strategies for improved understanding of strategies for and the language of AfL?and the language of AfL?

Tell the person next to you one strategy Tell the person next to you one strategy that you have learnt or rediscovered.that you have learnt or rediscovered.

Any questions?Any questions?