1. What asks but never answers?

2. Using Assessment to Inform Instruction
EDU 330: Educational Psychology
Daniel Moos, PhD

3. Today’s Class: Using assessment to inform teaching
What are we doing today?
Last Class: Define and apply Validity and Reliability
An assessment is valid if….
An assessment is reliable if…..
Today’s Class: Using assessment to inform teaching
When should you assess?
How can you use assessment to inform instruction?
Pre-assessment
Formative assessments

4. Beginning of Learning Unit
WHEN should you assess?
Beginning of Learning Unit
End
of Learning Unit
Pre-assessment
Finding out
Formative
Keeping Track & Checking up
Summative
Making Sure

5. What is a pre-assessment and what are some examples?
Pre-assessments
What is a pre-assessment and what are some examples?
Assessment that evaluates student’s strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, skills, and/or interests prior to learning unit; used to inform planning and demonstrate growth
Quick!
No need to intimidate your students before the learning unit!
Do students need 20 questions to demonstrate they know how to add decimals?
Focused
Unit probably too large; single lesson too much work for you!
…but Comprehensive
Cover spectrum of understanding
Sensitive
Explain rationale behind pre-assessment and expectations

6. Pre-assessments: Alternative examples
Ranking
Rank concepts, skills, content based on anticipated difficulty
Conjure, Cluster & Categorize
Students generate questions and predict challenges on sticky notes… then cluster & categorize
First & Final Thoughts
Prior to learning unit, ask students to share initial thoughts and personal interests; revisit at end of learning unit
Wonder Board
After introducing topics for learning unit, students post questions on display board; update throughout learning unit
Scale of Certainty
Students brainstorm what they know already and post ideas on display of certainty (“very uncertain” to “very certain”); discuss and update throughout learning unit
Concept Map
Students create “map” of ideas in learning unit; update as progress
KWL charts

7. What is a formative assessment and what are examples?
Assessment that evaluates student’s strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, skills, and/or interests during learning unit; used to inform planning and provide feedback
Based on specific learning targets
Designed by teachers
Provides evidence of student learning
Informs instruction
Involves students
Provides specific, actionable, immediate feedback

8. Formative assessments: What are some examples of formative assessments?

9. Formative assessments: What are some examples of formative assessments?

10. Formative assessments: What are some examples of formative assessments?

11. Formative assessments: What are some examples of formative assessments?
Signals: Students indicate perceived understanding, which allows teachers to quickly scan the classroom and assess who needs more help and who understands the concept
….relies on two things in order to serve as an effective formative assessment:
The ability of students to assess their own understanding of the concept
Willingness to be honest about where they are on the learning continuum
classroom climate where it is safe to say, "I don't understand." 
Windshield Check
CLEAR = I get it! I thoroughly understand the concept.
BUGGY = I understand it for the most part, but a few things are still unclear.
MUDDY = I don’t get it at all.
Fist to Five:
Thumbs up – side- down

12. Pre- and Formative assessments: How should they be used to inform teaching?
Gallery Walk
What pre-assessments do you think would be most effective for your content area and/or developmental group?
What formative assessments do you think would be most effective for your content area and/or developmental group?
How should you analyze information generated by a pre-assessment so that you can use it to inform your teaching?
Example #1: You administer a 10 question multiple choice to your 8th grade math class
Example #2: Pick another “alternative” pre-assessment  How would you analyze student responses to gather meaningful information that could inform your teaching?
How should you use formative assessments administered during class? How should you differentiate your instruction based on student response in that class?
Example #1: You use a signal formative assessment (i.e. windshield check, fist to give, thumbs up-side-down) and a minority of students express confusion (i.e. 4 of 20);
Example #2: You use a signal formative assessment (i.e. windshield check, fist to give, thumbs up-side-down) and about half the students express confusion (i.e. 10 of 20);
Example #3: You use a signal formative assessment (i.e. windshield check, fist to give, thumbs up-side-down) and majority of students express confusion (i.e. 16 of 20).
How should you use formative assessments administered at the end of class? How should you differentiate your instruction based on student response in the following class?
Example #1: You use an exit slip and a minority of students express confusion (i.e. 4 of 20);
Example #2: You use an exit slip and about half the students express confusion (i.e. 10 of 20);
Example #3: You use an exit slip and majority of students express confusion (i.e. 16 of 20).

13. Pre- and Formative assessments: How should they be used to inform teaching?
Gallery Walk, follow up

14. Pre- and Formative assessments: How should they be used to inform teaching?
Gallery Walk, follow up

15. This application will meet Standard 10F (understand data practices)
Identify a lesson plan (individually or in groups of up to 3)
Complete Lesson Plan Assessment sheet
Upload completed lesson plan assessment sheet to your Standards Portfolio (Standard 10)
Include Standard information (Standard 10F: Understand data practices)
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