What Is Formative Assessment

An area of my teaching practice I would like to explore is assessment both formative and summative. “The use of formative assessments, or other diagnostic efforts within classrooms, provides information that should help facilitate improved pedagogical practices and instructional outcomes.” (Dunn et al. 2009:1). Within the classroom, there are many areas of assessment as teachers are assessing all the time especially when actually teaching. In my experience, my previous knowledge and understanding of assessment within the classroom is an area of my teaching where I feel it is a constant battle to improve on and ensure the best outcomes for the children. Working in a large class group whilst discussing the topic of human and physical habitats,
Sutton (1995) supports that a systematic approach to learning helps teachers underpin the belief that the process of self-assessment is a key element to learning. During my lessons towards the beginning of the 2nd half term, I reflected at the end of the week on the area of self assessment with my mentor (see Appendix 1). It was clear to both of us that my presumptions of the Year 2 class that they knew how to self assess was incorrect and they did not understand the process of how to complete the task. I had asked during the week various types of self assessment styles for example, choose your best piece of work you have completed previously, using a coloured pencil can you highlight on the faces how you feel this piece of work has gone. On discussions at the end of the week, I realised that I had expected to self assess but had not given them any clear example of what they were actually required to look for. With no demonstration of why they were looking at their work and what objectives they are trying to identify, on reflection, it is obvious that the children were never going to be able to understand the process and the understanding behind the self-assessment process. I agree with Black and William, Torrance and Pryor (cited in McCallum, no date, pg 8) that in their studies that a recurring theme is the importance of children understanding the learning objectives behind their work and that learning intentions are clear and concise. The implications for myself, this would mean providing lessons on self-assessment and how to organise information to enable the children to access this. Researching various methods and speaking to other professionals on the different styles of self-assessment will lead to my practice being more effective as the children