Shifting the balance between teaching and learning: integrating assessment into the dynamic classroom

Teacher education: embedding formative assessment in a portfolio

• First year students;
• Professional Development Activity (PDA) after each taught session;
• the PDAs were used in various ways:
• peer reviewing;
• collating
• applying research to a case or problem
• sharing of work.
• Summative assignment 1500 words

Georgia Prescott, in Bloxham 2014

• eight PDAs as appendices referenced in the text.
• Favourable student evaluation
• Higher marks, better engagement

Psychology Redesign

• 560 students in groups of 6-7;
• Reduced number of lectures;
• 3 week cycle culminating in 700-800 word essay

e.g. ’Assess the strengths and weaknesses of Freud’s and Eysenck’s theories of personality. Are the theories incompatible?

• Guidance provided for tackling the question and working in a group;
• Best 2 definitions & essays posted on VLE as feedback;
• Students used familiar language to discuss academic concepts – Dialogue.

Nicol 2009