Assessment for Learning: Making it Work
This conference is designed for teachers with practical experience of Assessment for Learning (AfL) who want to deepen their understanding of the principles on which it is based and to develop their own classroom and school practices. A unique feature of this event will be the opportunity to take part in post-conference online discussions led by Professor Stobart, an internationally recognised expert on AfL, which will enable participants to learn from each other as they put insights from the conference into practice within their own classrooms.
Assessment for Learning (AfL) is widely recognised as a means of improving classroom learning and many teachers are familiar with its claims and practices. This teacher conference aims to develop participants' understandings of AfL and the classroom practices associated with it. The day will be built around sessions on four main themes:
1. What is AfL? - Arriving at a personal definition and challenging some policy interpretations.
2. A fresh look at learning intentions and success criteria - have WALT and WILT had their day?
3. Finding out where learners are in their learning - questioning, diagnostics and data - and the problem of levelling.
4. Feedback - over-rated and underachieving? Where does peer and self assessment fit?
The format of the day will be a mix of short keynote inputs related to individual, group and plenary discussions. In the spirit of AfL it will involve active participation and teachers will be invited to specify 'tweaks' they may make to their classroom practice. This small scale action research will be the subject of an online discussion at an agreed later date.
Professor Stobart is a former teacher and educational psychologist. As a founder member of the Assessment Reform Group, he is an internationally recognised expert on AfL. He has worked around the world on developing classroom and school practice. He has a particular interest in how AfL is expressed as official policy. His latest book is Testing times: The uses and abuses of assessment.
Cost: £150, including all materials, lunch and refreshments
Book a full price place and additional colleagues may attend for £100.
A provisional programme is available above, along with a registration form. For further details please contact the Cambridge Assessment Network at thenetwork@cambridgeassessment.org.uk or on 01223 553846.
