C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Assessment for Learning in Practice: case studies from Northumbria's CETL Gill Davison, Kerry Harman, Jessie Hou and Jenna Tudor, CETL research centre C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Emphasises authentic & complex assessment tasks Develops students’ abilities to evaluate own progress, direct own learning Is rich in formal feedback (e.g. tutor comment, self-review logs) Uses high stakes summative assessment rigorously but sparingly Is rich in informal feedback (eg peer review of draft writing, collaborative project work) Offers extensive ‘low stakes’ confidence building opportunities and practice The Assessment for Learning (AfL) Conditions “How might I use these in my own teaching?”

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING How AfL Practices Facilitate Chinese Students’ Transition to the Higher Education in the UK Participants: 2+2 undergraduate Chinese engineering students Module: Electronic Product Development Teaching Strategy: Supporting lectures + weekly workshop + group work + project work Learning Strategy: Directed learning + independent learning Assessment Strategy: 3 reports + 1 presentation AfL Practices: Formative feedback + ‘Low stakes’ + Peer support + Self-directed learning

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING EN0213 Less risky & Low pressure More feedback Formal/ Informal More collaborative activity More self- directed learning More confident Learn more beyond the module

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Using AfL to assist students in their individual final year projects Group sessions for final year Mechanical Engineering undergraduates in their ‘Investigative Project’ module. Encourage peer feedback on project ideas Allow students to share skills and best practice Help maintain motivation throughout year-long project Prepare students for viva examination Encourage students to reflect on own progress

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Students said the project mentoring sessions... “p roved useful to help keep disciplined in achieving targets and goals. It also gives an insight into what other students are working on and any tools that can be adopted.” “have been very useful to me. If I have a problem I can share it “have been useful to see how other with 4 or 5 people to get better students have been progressing advice.” with their projects. Provided motivation throughout project.” “The addition of the group sessions Staff said:means that supervision time can be used properly; focusing on discipline and project specific issues.”

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING What do we mean by authentic assessment? Authenticity is a contested subject – dependent on context, cultural norms and value. Can be viewed as subjective and a relative term (Gulikers, 2006) Authenticity became popular in learning theories such as situated learning, experimental learning and cognitive apprenticeship (Brown, Collins & Duguid, 1989). Focuses on learning in meaningful contexts Common denominator is learning undertaken to acquire and apply knowledge, skills and feelings in an immediate and relevant setting

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Geophotography & Authentic Learning Module designed to allow students to develop a high degree of learner autonomy. Assessment tasks included the development of a photographical journal based around students lives in Newcastle upon Tyne. Tasks meaningful and relevant to learners lives. Students were required to develop a critical review of their learning journey and relate this to relevant geographical theory.

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING AfL in MA Design programme Context – using AfL to enhance essay writing skills Weekly writing that could be recycled in essay Writing posted on blackboard, peer review Weekly discussion groups draft essays, peer assessment formal feedback from lecturer

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Emphasises authentic & complex assessment tasks Develops students’ abilities to evaluate own progress, direct own learning Is rich in formal feedback (e.g. tutor comment, self-review logs) Uses high stakes summative assessment rigorously but sparingly Is rich in informal feedback (eg peer review of draft writing, collaborative project work) Offers extensive ‘low stakes’ confidence building opportunities and practice The AfL conditions “Working within the spirit of AfL”

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Emphasises authentic & complex assessment tasks Develops students’ abilities to evaluate own progress, direct own learning Is rich in formal feedback (e.g. tutor comment, self-review logs) Uses high stakes summative assessment rigorously but sparingly Is rich in informal feedback (eg peer review of draft writing, collaborative project work) Offers extensive ‘low stakes’ confidence building opportunities and practice Introducing informal peer support into individual investigative projects

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Emphasises authentic & complex assessment tasks Develops students’ abilities to evaluate own progress, direct own learning Is rich in formal feedback (e.g. tutor comment, self-review logs) Uses high stakes summative assessment rigorously but sparingly Is rich in informal feedback (eg peer review of draft writing, collaborative project work) Offers extensive ‘low stakes’ confidence building opportunities and practice Introducing international students to AfL

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Emphasises authentic & complex assessment tasks Develops students’ abilities to evaluate own progress, direct own learning Is rich in formal feedback (e.g. tutor comment, self-review logs) Uses high stakes summative assessment rigorously but sparingly Is rich in informal feedback (eg peer review of draft writing, collaborative project work) Offers extensive ‘low stakes’ confidence building opportunities and practice Encouraging authenticity in Geophotography

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Emphasises authentic & complex assessment tasks Develops students’ abilities to evaluate own progress, direct own learning Is rich in formal feedback (e.g. tutor comment, self-review logs) Uses high stakes summative assessment rigorously but sparingly Is rich in informal feedback (eg peer review of draft writing, collaborative project work) Offers extensive ‘low stakes’ confidence building opportunities and practice AfL in MA Design

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Emphasises authentic & complex assessment tasks Develops students’ abilities to evaluate own progress, direct own learning Is rich in formal feedback (e.g. tutor comment, self-review logs) Uses high stakes summative assessment rigorously but sparingly Is rich in informal feedback (eg peer review of draft writing, collaborative project work) Offers extensive ‘low stakes’ confidence building opportunities and practice Introducing AfL approaches to support learners.

C ENTRE FOR E XCELLENCE IN T EACHING & L EARNING A SSESSMENT FOR L EARNING Thank you Questions?