and assessment for learning Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? Why develop thinking and assessment for learning in the classroom? ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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. ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? It could be argued that until now, the process of learning as a skill in its own right has generally been of secondary importance to the learning of subject knowledge and key facts. As evidence from scientific research and classroom practice have been increasingly aligned and interwoven, a number of barriers have been overcome. The most notable advances have been in the fields of developing thinking and assessment for learning. ACCAC

Developing thinking Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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. ACCAC

Assessment for learning Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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). ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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. ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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! ACCAC

Characteristics of developing thinking and assessment for learning Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? Metacognition is at the heart of learning – reflection of what has been learned and how it has been learned ACCAC

Some essential features of overlapping pedagogy are: Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 ACCAC

Some essential features of overlapping pedagogy are: Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 ACCAC

Some essential features of overlapping pedagogy are: Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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. ACCAC

Fundamental principles underpinning developing thinking and assessment For learning Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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. ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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. ACCAC

Developing thinking processes Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? PLAN DEVELOP METACOGNITION REFLECT ACCAC NOT a 3 part lesson!

Selected developing thinking principles to try: Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 ACCAC ** and linked principles †

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 ACCAC

Providing feedback to learners Peer and Self-Assessment Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 ACCAC

What support will schools involved in the programme expect? Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 strategies and tools through DCELLS ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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 ACCAC

What resources are available to help? Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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/thinkingand assessmentforlearning/?lang=en ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? 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/ ACCAC

Why develop thinking skills and assessment for learning in the classroom? Where can I view the evaluation report for the pilot programme? The full evaluation report is available to download from WAG website Weblink: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/curriculumassessment/thinkingandassessmentforlearning/?lang=en ACCAC