Assessment For Learning - Teaching Approach

To what extent does our classroom assessment involve high quality interactions, based on thoughtful questions, careful listening and reflective responses?

The more I read I sometimes think it is time to give it all up and get a cleaning job. 'High quality interactions?' - not all the time. 'Thoughtful questions?' - definitely not planned. 'Careful listening?' - no it is mostly paper based. 'Reflective responses?' - sometimes...

I thought I was doing a good job. I am told I am doing a good job. The children are learning in an environment that I think focuses on their needs. But I do not think I can answer the above question confidently and say 'yes' hence the reason I have selected this area as my CPD.

With my poor answers in mind I now need to evaluate this area and look at a way to move forward.

Assessment Is For Learning- Make The Journey

The question about Assessment for Learning is how much more work will it entail for the already time pushed primary teacher? Should teachers 'make the journey' to transform their school with Assessment is for Learning? The obvious answer is 'yes' if the learning is central to the child's needs rather than the curriculum needs. The AiFL Spring newsletter No 6 looks at Personal Learning Planning. On reflection of this reading, as detailed in my aifl wiki, in order that children's learning matches their needs a teacher needs to look past the curriculum documents and planning. Instead a partnership between pupil and teacher needs to be formed where they are both part of the planning process rather than a one-sided coin.

I admit I fall into the bracket of doing all the planning and assessing. I also don't always respond appropriately to assessment results as I wish to move on. The ones who achieved get the ticks whereas the ones who struggled are placed at the bottom of the assessment list BUT their needs are then not addressed. Yes I am ashamed that I have worked this way due to trying to get through a specific curriculum.

It is now time to 'Make the Journey' and start addressing these needs rather than file them.