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Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Why develop thinking and assessment for learning
in the classroom?
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
The ability to learn and apply new skills effectively
throughout our lives is a fundamental requirement for
today’s generation living in an increasingly technological driven world.
It is imperative that pedagogy is updated to ensure learners receive the full benefits of the revised NC.
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
LearningIt could be argued that until now, the process oflearning as a skill in its own right has generallybeen of secondary importance to the learning ofsubject knowledge and key facts.
As evidence from scientific research and classroompractice have been increasingly aligned andinterwoven, a number of barriers have been overcome.
The most notable advances have been in the fieldsof developing thinking and assessment for learning.
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Developing thinking Developing thinking can be defined as developing patterns of thinking that help learners acquire deeper understanding and enable them to explore and make sense of their world. It refers to processes that we in Wales have defined as plan, develop and reflect. Although we are born with a capability to think there is ample evidence that we can learn to think more effectively.
Developing thinking pedagogy has considerable overlap with the principles of assessment for learning.
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Assessment for learning Assessment for learning is the process of finding out where learners are within a learning continuum, where they need to go and how best to get there.
It can be considered to be any assessment for which the first priority in its design and practice is to serve the purpose of promoting learning (formative).
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Why focus on developing thinking and assessment for learning?
There is well-documented and substantial qualitative and quantitative evidence to show that this focus raises learners’ motivation and performance.
Between 2005 and 2008, DCELLS conducted a pilot programme with 9 LEAs and 1 group of special schools. This involved 42 schools and over 100 teachers. An evaluation of the programme and its outcomes supported these findings.
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
What were the outcomes of the pilot programme?
In just 5 terms, teachers reported:• increased learner engagement and motivation with
learning• improved learner behaviour• improved quality of work produced by learners
(increased achievement and attainment)• improvement in learner self esteem and confidence• improvement in the quality of speaking and listening• happier teachers and learners!
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC Metacognition is at the heart of learning – reflection of what has been learned and how it has been learned
Characteristics of developing thinking and assessment for learning
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Some essential features of overlapping pedagogy are:
• focus more on how to learn• learners are frequently required to verbalise
and to articulate their thinking/learning • learners and teachers have a common
language of learning• focus on group collaboration and co-
operation, with teachers facilitating learning
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
• learners support each others’ efforts to learn and jointly construct their learning
• learners take responsibility for their own learning and make informed decisions
• learners reflect, monitor and self-evaluate their own progress
• learners are encouraged to transfer their learning across contexts and to make connections
Some essential features of overlapping pedagogy are:
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
• the classroom is a safe environment for learners to make mistakes
• the classroom is a reflective environment where a community of learning can be established.
Leads to…. more independent, reflective and resilient learners.
Some essential features of overlapping pedagogy are:
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Fundamental principles underpinning developing thinking and assessment For learning
• Intelligence is modifiable.• Belief that every learner can improve.• Deep understanding is more important than
superficial learning.• Learners need explicit strategies for how to
learn.• Challenge and interest can lead to motivation.• Participation is valued.
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
• Collaboration (learning with others) will allow learners to take greater educational risks and take their learning forward.
• Metacognition (thinking about thinking) is at the heart of the learning and teaching process.
• Learners need feedback to evaluate their progress in learning.
• Skills and knowledge must be transferred both within the school and in the wider world.
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
METACOGNITION
Developing thinking processes
NOT a 3 part lesson!
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Selected developing thinking principles to try:
Plan Develop Reflect
Thinking principle
Activating prior knowledge, skills and understanding
Thinking about cause and effect and making inferences
Evaluate own learning and thinking
**Determining the process/method/ strategy
Forming opinions and making decisions
**Reviewing the process/method
†Determining success criteria
Thinking logically and seeking patterns
† Reviewing outcomes and success criteria
Considering evidence, information and ideas
Linking and lateral thinking
** and linked principles†
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Assessment for learning processes
Three areas for development
Questioning
Providing feedback to learners
Peer and Self-Assessment
** Metacognition is crucial element in learners and teachers understanding and using processes
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Selected Assessment for learning principles to try:
Questioning Providing feedback to
learners
Peer and Self-Assessment
Assessment for learning principles
Improving quality of answers
Target Setting/Next steps
On-going lesson assessment
Peer discussion Immediacy of feedback
Uses of summative assessment
Active involvement of all learners
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
What does the extension programme involve?
• 3 year programme, reviewed annually (started 2009)• DCELLS working in partnership with LAs across Wales• 50 teachers coached in developing thinking and assessment for learning pedagogy per LEA year• programme continuously monitored and evaluated by LAs and DCELLS
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
What support will schools involved in the programme expect?
• Coaching visits by lead LA advisers to lead teachers• Mentoring school visits by DCELLS officers• Networking through cluster meetings• Virtual support through NGfL forum• Practical classroom support and ideas for strategiesand tools through DCELLS
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
What will lead teachers be expected to do?
• choose and trial 3 principles from developing thinking and assessment for learning• share and disseminate outcomes in school and within clusters• monitor and evaluate processes and outcomes • meet with DCELLS through mentoring sessions• meet and work with lead LA adviser through coaching sessions
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
What resources are available to help?
• two web-based booklets:
Why develop thinking and assessment for learning in the classroom?
How to develop thinking and assessment for learning in the classroom.
Weblink: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/curriculumassessment/thinkingandassessmentforlearning/?lang=en
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
What resources are available to help?
BBC DVD – ‘Aiming for excellence – developing thinking’
NGfL ‘good practice’ website and forum www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/dtaafl/
Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom?
ACCAC
Where can I view the evaluation report for the pilot programme?
Weblink: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/curriculumassessment/thinkingandassessmentforlearning/?lang=en
The full evaluation report is available todownload from WAG website
