Educational explorations
Every now and then I find myself on an educational exploration. In the midst of a furore over teachers weighty work load and a marking melee, we have been busy looking for robust and catalytic assessment solutions. In my search for time efficiencies in marking and assessment I stumbled upon QuickKey, which in turn perked a previous curiosity on the use of objective testing, specifically Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). MCQs turned out to be a much more significant assessment method that I had realised, which then lead to an assessment project combining MCQs, QuickKey and an exam feedback tools created by @Dataeducatior, led by our decisive Head of Science, Paul Kearley.
Alongside MCQs, we are looking at how question level analysis can be used to frame feedback for students and to enhance teaching processes. In the first instance we are engaging students with their feedback and in the feed forward process; identifying areas they need to address and constructing learning targets. Second, we are investigating the inter-class variations. Identifying areas for teacher collaboration and re-teaching of misunderstanding or learning gaps.
Leaving the flight deck
Having a strategy, having a destination, is not enough. You need to have a timeline that shows when each of these steps will take place, and when each prototype will become more solid, should they prove successful. These tools enable the leadership to leave the flight deck, and let teachers, students, parents and other teams get on with their jobs, confident in the turns they take. Ewan .... Read more and bookmark.
Better inspection for all
I think most educators remember that “really” moment, when they were learnt that feedback with grades is pretty pointless. It confirmed what we have seen over and over again in our classrooms. Back in 2010 I wrote “Grade Less. Assess More.” It was the start of my professional interest in assessment and feedback. In 2011 I wrote, “grades negate any effort spent .... Read more and bookmark.
Learning observations – ironing out the creases
With Hattie on side – we started designing the new learning observations. Influenced by Lesson Study, we were aiming for a more practical and informative approach to observations. An approach that moved away from observing “teacher performances” to co-planning, observing and reporting back to teachers, pupils learning in the lesson. A conversation exploring the expected .... Read more and bookmark.
Learning observation – change the lens
Few are mourning the loss of graded lesson observations. Following the grading storm, the clouds are clearing, with approximately a quarter half of schools having moved away from grading lesson observations, unofficially that is. High up on an inaccessible shelf, in SLT offices across the country, the red shoes of the graded lesson observations can be seen protruding from under the yellow .... Read more and bookmark.