Expanding notions of assessment for learning
Date / Time: December 2013
A new book by WMIER's Bronwen Cowie and Judy Moreland, with former University of Waikato staff member Kathrin Otrel-Cass has been published by Sense Publishers
Expanding Notions of Assessment for Learning: Inside Science and Technology Primary Classrooms
Authors: Bronwen Cowie (University of Waikato), Judy Moreland (University of Waikato) and Kathrin Otrel-Cass (Aalborg University, Denmark).
This book explores teacher and student experiences of assessment for learning [AfL] interactions in primary science and technology classrooms. The ideas presented emerged from an ongoing interest by the authors in teaching and learning science and technology in Year 1 to 8 New Zealand classrooms over the past 15 years. The Teaching and Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) ‘Classroom Interactions in Science and Technology Education (InSiTE) Project’ was particularly influential. Our attention is directed to how AfL interactions contribute to classroom cultures for learning and shape how students see themselves as learners and knowers. We focus on understanding and enhancing teacher practices that align with the ‘spirit’ of AfL. Working from a sociocultural perspective, the book’s fundamental premise is that AfL has a contribution to make to students developing identities as accomplished learners and knowers.
We provide a range of classroom examples to ground and illustrate our discussion. These were selected to bring our ideas to life with the intention of provoking reflection on the ideas at hand. We have not attempted to cover the assessment field in depth, but focus on aspects of AfL that resonated with our InSiTE teachers. The ideas presented are those we considered interesting and our hope is that readers will also find them compelling.
The book will be of interest to teachers and educational researchers who want to examine AfL from a theoretical and a practical perspective.
You can order a copy of the book from the publisher's website or download the promotional flyer and order form.
ISBN Paperback: 9789462090590 ($ 49.00)
ISBN Hardcover: 9789462090606 ($ 99.00)