Keith Said:

I have an interview for an Assistant Head Post. It concerns Teaching and Learning and Assessment for Learning?

We Answered:

You really should know the questions as well as the answers. Are you sure you're ready to become an Assistant Head?

Erik Said:

Does anyone know anything on assessment for learning for a primary mathematics lesson??

We Answered:

Assesment for Learning is a way of the children being involved in their own learning. For example in my class we use a set of smiley faces, one has a sad and red face, one has an amber face and the other a green smiley face. we use it in a variety of ways the children can hold up the faces if they have understood, if they agree or disagree with answers. I also use learning mats which give the children strategies that will help them to learn.

The process of Assesment for learning is supposed to take away the threat of tests for the children and provide a quick and easy way for teachers to see what their pupils have learnt.

Henry Said:

Details about Assessment for Learning in the classroom?

We Answered:

search on yahoo.com and look in your local library

Leslie Said:

What are the negative aspects of Assessment For Learning (Formative Assessment)?

We Answered:

There are some negative effects. One could argue that a culture built on formative assessments will create weaker leaders. There is something to be said in giving a class an assignment and letting the clever pass and the slower ones fail. It builds a sense of pressure to understand on the first go-round exactly what is wanted, and it rewards those who got it by punishing those who didn't. Remember in sociological groups, we are more defined by who we're not than who we are. Formative assessments erase those important lines. Not nearly as clever children can just as easily define themselves a high achieve through dedicated and repeated work, which though it may be great for them, it dilutes the personal satisfaction for those who would have been the top performers on set, strict summative assessments. And in the end, this can create a culture that finds mistakes ok.

Its funny how we value formative assessments for our children, and even ourselves, but how little we'd be amused if our doctor did a surgery he didn't quite understand on us so that he could understands it much better on someone else.

Derek Said:

Is the 10th grade WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) hard?

We Answered:

I too was in a private school until my sophomore year. I am class of 2008, so we were the first class that needed to pass the WASL. I recieved a perfect score on writing and a high pass on reading. I passed the math section by 11 points. The only part I didn't pass was the science section and we didn't have to pass that one. Because I went to a private school we had a different curriculium, so it was hard for me to go back and learn what my peers have been learning for a long time. Most high schools do a ton of WASL prep. I know mine did. Just don't worry about it and maybe get a WASL prep book at your local library. You have 5 chances to pass it, so just relax and do your best. Good Luck! I know I hated the WASL there was A TON of writing!