ASSESSING INQUIRY

Inquiry Learning

Inquiry learning is difficult to do well. Inquiry learning, done well, will require

changes to classroom practice, school structures and procedures, school resources, and classroom programmes.

Seven BIG Learning Messages

Intelligence is not fixed Effort is as important as ability Learning is strongly influenced by emotion We all learn in different ways Deep learning is an active process Learning is messy We learn from the company we keep

Successful Inquiry

Involve students in initial planning Sharing learning goals Negotiating success criteria Planning questions which further learning Using strategies which maximise student

thinking and articulation

Not all students learn in the same way

How you perceive information

How you process information

How you organise and present information

A learning style has three main aspects

Balance between opportunity and capacity

What do we think is important for our students to learn?

What do we need to teach?

Information literacy skills reasoning critical thinking the ability to justify or refute our

existing knowledge problem solving communication skills

What is important for our students to learn?

Learning to Learn Skills Goal setting Organisation and time

management Tracking and asking for

assistance Self and peer reflection Critiquing

Research Skills

Questioning skills Selecting skills Key words (Identifying and using) Searching the Internet Using contents page and index Skimming and scanning and reading for detail

Presenting Skills Use of ICT Use of software Layout and design Vocabulary studies Listening Speaking Public speaking Discussion

Taking notes Making notes or drafting Using thinking skills Citing references Sorting and organising Interpreting and analysising Synthesising and applying

Basic, Scientific and Technological Literacy

Visual and Information Literacy

Cultural Literacy and Global Awareness Adaptability and Managing Complexity

Curiosity, Creativity and Risk Taking

Higher Order Thinking and Sound Reasoning

Teaming, Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills

Personal and Social Responsibility

Interactive Communication

Prioritising, Planning and Managing Results

Effective Use of Real World Tools

High Quality, Meaningful Results

21st Century Skills21st Century Skills

Inventive Thinking:Inventive Thinking:

Effective Communication:Effective Communication: High Productivity:High Productivity:

Digital Age Literacy:Digital Age Literacy:

What is assessment?

What is assessment?

An ongoing process aimed at understanding and improving student learning

Evidence that students know, can do and understand

It’s more than just collecting data

Assessment

Focus on how we come to know, as opposed to what we know

Focus on the development of information-processing and problem-solving skills

Authentic assessment

Assessing the students’ ability to use what they’ve learning in tasks similar to those in the outside world.

What can be assessed? Student learning characteristics

-Ability differences-Learning styles

Student motivational characteristics-Interest-Effort-Goal orientation

Learning-Content knowledge-Ability to apply content knowledge-Skills

-Dispositions and attitudes-Performances

Why do we need to assess?

Importance of Assessment

To find out what the students know (knowledge)

To find out what the students can do, and how well they can do it (skill; performance)

To find out how students go about the task of doing their work (process)

To find out how students feel about their work (motivation, effort)

Ways we can assess

True –False Item Multiple Choice Completion Short Answer Essay Practical Exam Papers/Reports Projects Questionnaires

Inventories Checklist Peer Rating Self Rating Journal Portfolio Observations Discussions Interviews

Self Assessment

Data Gathering Understanding Reflection/Analysis Creativity

Evidence of Data Gathering

Have I gathered enough information?

Do I have sufficient evidence of research?

Have I described/defined the problems that are at the core of my inquiry?

Self Assessment

Evidence of Understanding

Do I understand the information/material I am researching?

Have I used my own words to summarise my research?

Self Assessment

Evidence of Reflection/Analysis

Does my work show that I have used the information to form my own ideas?

Have I addressed the issues at the core of my inquiry?

Have I drawn conclusions?

Self Assessment

Evidence of Creativity

Have I created anything that shows my own views and opinions of my inquiry?

Have I taken any action to do something about my findings?

Self Assessment

AssessmentConversations

“When kids are given choices in what they read and what they write, and time to think about what they are doing, their writing and reading get better.

When we trust them to set goals and to evaluate their learning in progress, we will begin to realize that they know much more than we allow them to tell us through our set curriculums, our standardized tests, our writing samples.”

Linda Reif

‘In times of change the learners will inherit the earth,

while the knowers will find themselves beautifully equipped to

deal with a world that no longer exists.’

Eric Hoffer

Working in your team -

Looking at your inquiry plan for next year:

1. Decide on exactly what it is that you are going to assess2. Decide the best way that the skill, understanding,

knowledge, application, attitude, performance, etc. can be assessed.

3. List the criteria you will assess against.4. Design an authentic task to assess that skill,

understanding, knowledge, application, attitude, performance, etc.