The evidence I provided for focus area 5.1 are screenshots and images of some formative and summative assessment tasks I have done in my placement. Assessments used in the beginning of a learning sequence to find out prior learning of students are formative assessments (Ewing et al. 2019, p. 240). Formative assessments can provide teachers immediate information about where the learners are at in learning, helping educators plan where this learning needs to go by adapting their work to meet students’ needs (Black & Wiliam 2010, p. 81). Some formative assessment strategies I utilised include observations and brainstorming with the class, to find out what they know about the concepts being explored. I think that brainstorming as a class also promoted inclusivity and participation, as everyone was asked to share something during the discussions.

On the other hand, summative assessments are assessments done at the end of a learning sequence to show what the students have learnt and provides teachers feedback about their teaching (Ewing et al. 2019, p. 236). An example of a summative assessment task I did with my students during placement was following directions on a map. I gave students a copy of a map each, and gave them a series of verbal directions to follow. This summative assessment helped my supervising teacher and I see what the students have learnt from this unit of mapping, which also helps inform reports to families. Reporting to families involves communication about students’ progress in learning, what ways are students being supported, and what problems are present and how are they being addressed (Ewing et al. 2019, p. 241). Although I did not have to do any form of reporting for this placement, my ST was very kind to explain and show how she does reports of her students to give to their parents and caregivers.

References:

Black, P & Williams, D 2010, ‘Inside the Black Box: Raising Standards Through Classroom Assessment’, Phi Delta Kappan, vol, 92, no. 1, pp. 81-90.

Ewing, R, Kervin, L, Glass, C, Gobby, B, Le Cornu, R & Groundwater-Smith, S 2019, Teaching: Dilemmas, challenges and opportunities, 6th edn, Cengage Learning Australia, South Melbourne, Australia.