Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Formative Assessment through Data Collection and Designing Differentiated Learning Experiences

 Blog 8 - Catlin Tucker's Blog

In this blog, Dr. Tucker notes how difficult it can be to collect formative assessment data when working with students who are online. This formative assessment data is essential to be able to create differentiated learning experiences for students based on where there understanding currently is, and what they need to grow. Dr. Tucker offers six points during the teaching process when teachers might incorporate some formative assessment. Her ideas offer support for those who are teaching in person as well as online.

The two areas that I thought had the most helpful information, at least from my perspective, were #4, “Check for Understanding & Provide Feedback on Student Progress” and #5, “Analyze the Data, Make Adjustments & Differentiate the Learning”. To check for understanding, she uses some techniques I am familiar with, such as a 3-2-1, and also some things I had not thought of, like having students create an analogy or to complete a “Tell me how” prompt. To do this, present students with a problem to solve and have them explain how they would solve it. This gets the student to focus on their thinking, not just find the answer.

The fifth step involves adjusting teaching by changing the content, process, or product. Dr. Tucker encourages us to move away from doing whole-class instruction simply because it is comfortable. In moving away from whole-class, teacher-led instruction, we can more effectively differentiate learning, provide necessary supports, and make use of flexible groups that are responsive to what the data tells us.

To see a very detailed, complete list of Dr. Tucker’s ideas for formative assessment and responsive lesson design, check out this blog: https://catlintucker.com/2021/03/formative-assessment-designing-differentiated-learning/

 


3 comments:

  1. Kristen, I just sat in a pd session a couple of days ago on utilizing tech for formative assessments. The presenter uses google forms for exit slips and then conditionally format the response sheet so she could divide them into small groups and give them differentiated assignments. I will be happy to share when the replay and materials come available.

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  2. I usually offer different options for assessments, but I often forget about oral assesments. "Tell me how" is a great addition to my choice board list for assessments. I do like the 3-2-1 and often use "I know", "I don't know" and "I still wonder". This is a great quick check-in to see where the understanding level is for all your students. Thanks for sharing!
    -Alicia

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