BDG0103 Quick Formative Assessment

DESCRIPTION: Teachers who complete this lesson can quickly check all students for understanding during the lesson and use responses to adjust the lesson and increase student learning.

RESEARCH BASE: The research base for formative assessments is strong. Black & Wiliam (1998) first demonstrated the powerful research (see below). Black and Wiliam’s (1998) seminal article (below) outlines the initial research. Effect sizes on learning have been shown to be anywhere from .2 (Kingston & Nash, 2011) to .87 (Graham, Hiebert, & Harris, 2015). A nice summary of the research base is provided by Ryerse and Brookhart (2018). See below.

Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998) Inside the black box: Raising standards through classroom assessment. Phi Delta Kappan. 80 (2). pp. 139-148 http://www.wyoaac.org/Lit/Inside%20the%20Black%20Box%20-%20Black.pdf

Ryerse, M., Brookhart, S. (2018) The research base for formative assessment. Getting Smart blog article. Retrieved from https://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/07/the-research-base-for-formative-assessment/

BACKGROUND: The following are useful tools to understand more about the topic.

  1. Video: Module 3: Assessment: https://vimeo.com/176207872 (password “assessment”)
  2. Advancing Formative Assessment in Every Classroom: Chapter One (Moss & Brookhart, 2009)
  3. 56 Examples of Formative Assessment Online resource

LESSON OUTCOMES:

  1. Plan multiple quick formative assessments in each lesson.
  2. Check for important lesson understandings.
  3. Ascertain each student’s level of understanding.
  4. Supply meaningful feedback to improve learning.
  5. Adjust instruction so all students learn.

RESOURCES:

Books

Dodge, J. (2009) 25 quick formative assessments for a differentiated classroom. Scholastic https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Formative-Assessments-Differentiated-Classroom/dp/0545087422

Moss, C., and Brookhart, S. (2009) Advancing formative assessment in every classroom: A guide for instructional leaders. Alexandria VA. ASCD http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109031.aspx

Articles

Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998) Inside the black box: Raising standards through classroom assessment. Phi Delta Kappan. 80 (2). pp. 139- 148 http://www.wyoaac.org/Lit/Inside%20the%20Black%20Box%20-%20Black.pdf

Dodge, Judith What Are Formative Assessments and How Should We Use Them? Scholastic Teacher Resources. (http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/what-are-formative-assessments-and-why-should-we-use-them

Dyer, K. (2013) Formative Assessment – What it is, why you should use it, and how to make it happen. The Education Blog. https://www.nwea.org/blog/2013/formative-assessment-what-it-is-why-you-should-use-it-and-how-to-make-it-happen/

Meyer, J. (2012) What’s Up with Formative Assessment?

Popham, W.J. (2008) Chapter 1: Formative Assessment: Why, What, and Whether? Transformative Assessment. Transformative Assessment. http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/108018/chapters/Formative-Assessment@-Why,-What,-and-Whether.aspx

Videos

Assessment by Susan Brookhart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OLVf6s7crE

Giving Effective Feedback by Susan Brookhart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYQE73yhu7g

Formative Assessment Strategies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBtM7hpGXtA

Embedding Formative Assessment into Classroom Practice by Dylan Wiliam: http://www.dylanwiliamcenter.com/webinar-embedding-formative-assessment-into-classroom-practice/

Module 3: Assessment by John Meyer: https://vimeo.com/176207872 (password “assessment”)

Martin Luther College Courses

EDU9520 Formative Assessment that Works – 1 credit (continuing education)

EDU5106 Assessment of Learning and Instruction – 3 credits (graduate level)