How do students respond to assessment for learning?

Key issues addressed by the study  This New Zealand study explored –how staff found out about student learning –what students considered to be useful feedback –how students engaged with assessment for learning (AfL) –what impact students felt AfL had on them

Students ideas about how staff found out what they had learned  Most students thought staff used: –tests or assignments –talking with and questioning them –observing their learning –reading and commenting on their written work  Many students particularly valued adults talking with them about their work during lessons

What students wanted from discussion with staff  Most students looked for opportunities to –clarify instructions –confirm their ideas/make sense of their own ideas –ask for help to complete tasks

The types of feedback students valued  Students felt feedback was most helpful when –it was in the form of suggestions rather than comments such as ‘very good’ –staff used language students understood –adults revisited ideas and used explanations

Ways students used AfL spontaneously  Students used AfL to –check their understanding against other sources of evidence – staff, text, and expert peers –assess the consistency of their own and others’ explanations

What students did not like  Two practices students disliked –adults asking questions when they were trying to complete work “…when you ask how to do something and they ask us questions back” –being belittled “…when [the adult] belittles you in front of everyone and goes ‘Weren’t you listening?’”

Who were the children in the study?  106 students from ten Year 7-10 science classes

How was the information gathered?  The study had two stages –31 students (at least three per class) were interviewed –each class was observed for a 3-5 week science unit and 75 students (at least six from each class) were interviewed after their lessons  The students were asked –how they decided they had learned something –how the adults found out and helped them with their learning –what they did when they did not understand something

How can you use the evidence in this study?  The study showed that students valued feedback which was in the form of suggestions and used clear language.  Could you talk to some of the students you work with to find out which types of feedback they find most helpful? You might want to use the responses of the students in this study as prompts.

Follow-up reading  Study reference: Cowie, B. (2005) Pupil commentary on assessment for learning The Curriculum Journal 16 (2) pp  You might like to read more about AfL at: