Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction to Student Assessment from Coursera

The Foundations of Teaching for Learning programme is for anyone who is teaching, or who would like to teach, in any subject and any context - be it at school, at home or in the workplace. With dynamic lessons taught by established and respected professionals from across the Commonwealth, this eight course programme will see you develop and strengthen your skills in teaching, professionalism, assessment, and more. As you carry on through the programme, you will find yourself strengthening not only your skills, but your connection with colleagues across the globe. A professional development opportunity not to be missed.

There are various techniques which help to assess student learning. This course helps teacher to acquire the skills to develop and use appropriate assessment procedures.

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What's inside

Syllabus

An Introduction to Assessment Theory and Practice

What is the purpose of assessment? Research has shown that opinions on this differ around the world. In this week’s general introduction to assessment theory and practice, you can compare your own experience of assessment with some contrasting experiences from different parts of the world. We will take a clear look at how educational assessment integrates and links curriculum, teaching, and learning. We will then look at cultural factors that may influence the teaching practices of your workplace.

The nature of feedback in improving teaching and learning

Feedback can vary greatly in its effectiveness. In the lectures this week we will identify the key characteristics of good (and bad) feedback. We will explore the practice of incorporating feedback into teaching. Teachers and students have their own views on what constitutes effective feedback. Understanding these views can help you to decide how you should give feedback to your own students. We will ask you to consider how you can best provide feedback to minority students. By the end of the week you should be able to generate your own examples of effective feedback for students.

Reporting student achievement

Welcome back to our third week of exploring ideas connected to assessment. In the lectures this week, we explore current approaches to reporting and raise important questions about their validity. We will consider the strengths and weaknesses of standardized test scores and point you to effective techniques for writing reports and giving feedback that will actually help students and pupils improve their learning. We will give you tools for use in your own practice and encourage you how reporting practices used with majority groups might need to be modified for use with parents from minority groups.

Guidelines for developing and using objectively answered question procedures

This week we describe specific techniques for designing assessment tools. The assessment tool that we will focus on is multiple-choice questions (MCQs), however we will present a number of different formats. You will be given practical advice and tools for creating a variety of good test questions. The key point to note is that unless such objectively-scored questions are written well, getting them right will not be an indicator of knowledge or skill in the domain being assessed. Test-wiseness (i.e., knowing how to answer such questions) increases test scores but this is no guarantee students actually understand more. Hence, care and attention needs to be paid to how test questions are written. Stay active – and enjoy the learning this week.

Guidelines for developing and using human judgement scoring procedures

Last week we focused on assessments that could be scored against agreed correct answers. We will now look at judgement-based assessments. The main assessment method used in teaching has changed from objective-style to using judgement-based assessment. This change has brought forward some new issues for us to consider. We will introduce you to challenges that are inherent in designing and evaluating student performance in open-ended formats in the first lecture. In the next two lectures we will focus on two assessment tools that are often used under judgement-based conditions: the rubric and the essay. In the last lecture, we will explore the concepts of moderation and inter-rater reliability. The topics for this week require you to grapple with notions of accuracy, quality, reliability, validity, and error. By the end of the week you should be able to design a valid and reliable assessment task and corresponding marking scheme (rubric).

Guidelines for developing and using procedures that involve students in assessment

In this final week we will define two assessment practices that involve student participation: self-assessment and peer assessment. We will provide you with exemplars of both kinds of assessment for your own personal use, and point you to important issues that you will need to consider when preparing your own assessments. By the end of this week you should be able to create peer and self-assessment tasks that facilitate learning for children you teach.

Good to know

Know what's good

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, and possible dealbreakers

Provides training for individuals interested in teaching in any context

Taught by respected professionals from the Commonwealth

Encompasses various assessment techniques, enhancing teaching skills

Explores assessment theory and practice, integrating curriculum, teaching, and learning

Facilitates professional development through collaboration with teachers globally

Provides strategies for effective feedback to improve teaching and learning

Reviews summary

Introductory student assessment

According to students, foundational knowledge in student assessment is provided in this course. Learners say that instructors provide timely and actionable feedback on submitted work. Furthermore, one student noted that the work was engaging and captivating.

Engaging and captivating course

"I found the course work to be engaging and captivating."

Introductory assessment knowledge provided

"Foundations in assessment knowledge provided."

"Learners are given foundational knowledge in assessment."

Timely and actionable feedback provided

"The feedback from instructors is timely and actionable."

"Instructors provide timely and actionable feedback."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction to Student Assessment with these activities:

Review assessment techniques

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Reviewing assessment techniques will make you more familiar with the different ways that students can be assessed, which will help you to choose the most appropriate techniques for your own teaching.

Browse courses on Assessment Techniques

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Read the articles on assessment techniques in the course materials.
Watch the videos on assessment techniques in the course materials.
Complete the quizzes on assessment techniques in the course materials.

Read 'Teaching Today' by Peter Westwood

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Familiarize yourself with a comprehensive guide to teaching methodologies and best practices.

View Inclusive and Adaptive Teaching: Meeting the... on Amazon

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Procure a copy of the book and allocate dedicated time for reading.
Read the book from cover to cover, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
Summarize the main ideas and principles of effective teaching as presented in the book.

Review principles of assessment

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Familiarize yourself with core concepts in assessment to strengthen your foundation.

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Read through relevant sections in the course materials
Reread your notes from any previous courses taken related to assessment
Take a practice quiz or exam to assess your current understanding

Ten other activities

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Practice designing effective lesson plans

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Sharpen your skills in developing well-structured and engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning needs.

Browse courses on Lesson Planning

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Review the principles and components of effective lesson planning.
Seek guidance from experienced teachers or instructional designers.
Create lesson plans for different subjects and grade levels, incorporating a variety of teaching strategies.
Reflect on the effectiveness of your lesson plans and make adjustments as needed.

Explore Assessment Techniques and Strategies

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Develop a deep understanding of diverse assessment methods to broaden your toolkit.

Browse courses on Educational Assessment

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Follow guided tutorials from Coursera or other reputable sources
Seek out online workshops or webinars on specific assessment techniques
Practice implementing these techniques in your own teaching context

Engage in Peer Assessment and Feedback

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Enhance your understanding of assessment through collaborative feedback and reflection.

Browse courses on Peer Assessment

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Form study groups or connect with classmates online
Establish clear guidelines and expectations for peer assessment
Provide constructive feedback to peers and receive feedback on your own work

Attend educational conferences and workshops

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Engage in professional development opportunities to connect with other educators, learn about innovative teaching practices, and expand your knowledge.

Browse courses on Professional Development

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Identify and attend conferences and workshops that align with your teaching interests.
Participate actively in sessions, engage with speakers, and network with fellow attendees.
Reflect on your experiences and implement new strategies in your own teaching practice.

Compile resources for further learning

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Gather a range of resources to support your teaching and enhance student learning.

Browse courses on Online Resources

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Identify and explore various online repositories, databases, and libraries.
Collect high-quality articles, videos, simulations, and other relevant materials.
Organize and categorize the resources for easy access and retrieval.

Design Effective Assessment Tools

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Enhance your ability to craft assessments that accurately measure student learning.

Browse courses on Assessment Design

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Complete practice exercises in designing different types of assessment tools
Use online resources or textbooks to guide your practice
Seek feedback from colleagues or mentors on your assessment designs

Explore online tutorials on technology integration

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Stay abreast of the latest educational technologies and learn how to incorporate them effectively in your teaching.

Browse courses on Technology Integration

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Identify online platforms and resources that offer tutorials on educational technology.
Select tutorials that align with your teaching goals and technological needs.
Follow the instructions and explore the features and applications of the technology.

Develop a Comprehensive Assessment Plan

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Create a tailored assessment plan that aligns with your teaching objectives.

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Identify the learning objectives you want to assess
Select appropriate assessment methods for each learning objective
Develop a timeline for administering the assessments
Consider strategies for providing effective feedback to students

Contribute to open educational resources (OER)

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Engage in collaborative knowledge creation and dissemination by contributing to a shared repository of teaching materials.

Browse courses on Open Educational Resources

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Explore platforms and initiatives that promote the development and sharing of OER.
Identify areas where you can contribute your expertise and create or adapt resources.
Collaborate with other educators and subject matter experts to develop high-quality OER.

Develop a teaching portfolio to showcase your skills

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Create a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates your teaching philosophy, skills, and accomplishments.

Browse courses on Curriculum Vitae

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Gather evidence of your teaching effectiveness, such as lesson plans, student feedback, and professional development certificates.
Organize and present your materials in a clear and concise manner.
Seek feedback on your portfolio from colleagues or mentors to enhance its impact.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction to Student Assessment will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Education Researcher

Education Researchers conduct research on educational issues. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to design and conduct research studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Researcher

Education Consultant

Education Consultants provide guidance and support to students, parents, and schools on a variety of educational issues. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to provide guidance and support.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologists provide psychological services to students, parents, and schools. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to provide psychological services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Psychologist

Higher Education Administrator

Higher Education Administrators oversee the operation of colleges and universities. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to manage colleges and universities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Administrator

Educational Researcher

Educational Researchers conduct research on educational issues. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to design and conduct research studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Researcher

Education Policy Analyst

Education Policy Analysts analyze education policies and make recommendations for changes. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to analyze education policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Policy Analyst

School Administrator

School Administrators oversee the operation of schools. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to manage schools.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Administrator

Program Evaluator

Program Evaluators evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to design and conduct program evaluations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Evaluator

Assessment Specialist

Assessment Specialists develop and implement assessment programs. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to develop and implement effective assessment programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Assessment Specialist

Teacher

Teachers are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating instruction. This course can help prepare you for this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to develop and implement effective lesson plans.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers develop and implement instructional materials and programs. This course can help you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to develop and implement effective instructional materials and programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Instructional Coordinator

Instructional Coordinators work with teachers and administrators to develop and implement instructional programs. This course can help you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to develop and implement effective instructional programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Coordinator

Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants provide guidance and support to students, parents, and schools on a variety of educational issues. This course can help you prepare for this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to develop and implement effective educational programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Consultant

Curriculum Developer

Curriculum Developers work with teachers and administrators to develop and implement curriculum. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation as well as the skills necessary to develop and implement effective curriculum.

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Museum Collections Manager

As a Museum Collections Manager, you will be responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. This course can be useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in this role by providing you with a foundation in the principles of assessment and evaluation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Collections Manager