RATIONALE
This course is intended to help teachers in primary schools consider the link between assessment, teaching and planning, drawing on themes discussed in the later chapters of Tony Eaude’s book ‘Children’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development -Primary and Early Years’. The emphasis is on assessment for learning, on different pedagogical approaches and on planning that is flexible enough to meet children’s learning needs within a broad and balanced curriculum. This reflects a belief that methods of assessment and planning, and of pedagogical approaches, must vary depending on the type of learning outcome intended.
AUDIENCE
This course is designed for headteachers, teachers and other staff in one primary school, or group of schools, or groups of teachers either in training or on inservice courses. By exploring the theory and practice of existing approaches to planning and assessment, and how this links to pedagogy, participants will be enabled to reflect on, and develop, their own practice.
TIMESCALE AND COMMITMENT
The course can be run either as a training day or a set of two or three staff meetings, though the former is preferable. Where there are separate sessions, additional benefit can be gained by the reflection and conversation which occurs, and is encouraged, between sessions. A conversation with the head, or senior member of staff or course leader, in advance, will be valuable to determine the current level of knowledge and experience of potential participants and to establish the specific objectives to be met. Given the breadth of this topic, the main emphasis is likely to be on only one or two of these topics.
INTENDED OUTCOMES
Participants will:
• consider the current approach to assessment within their own school and the importance of assessment for learning;
• explore how different learning objectives and outcomes require varied pedagogical approaches, focusing especially on one or more of grouping, differentiation questioning, and language and gesture;
• discuss the implications for medium- and short-term planning to enable flexibility and multiple learning objectives; and
• examine ways of developing new approaches to assessment, teaching and planning.
This course can be linked to the development of a school’s learning and teaching and/or assessment policy. As with all ‘New Perspectives …’ courses, it is hoped that participants will come to see their teaching in fresh and innovative ways, building on and enhancing their professional knowledge and providing new energy and motivation.
To discuss this course, or others offered by ‘New Perspectives…’, and how they can be most useful in your own context, please feel free to contact Dr Tony Eaude, 6 Long Wall, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4PG on 01865 711135 (phone/fax) or tony@edperspectives.org.uk
