Renaissance Learning - AlphaSmart Secondary Assessment for Learning S (AfL)

Secondary Assessment for Learning S (AfL)

Assessment for Learning involves using assessment in the classroom to raise students’ achievement.

It is based on the idea that students will improve most if they understand the aim of their learning, where they are in relation to this aim and how they can achieve the aim (or close the gap in their knowledge).

AlphaSmart have created an integrated Assessment for Learning package called 2Know! This enables teacher to get immediate and effective feedback from students, which can be displayed for the teacher and class to see that gives a complete picture of how learning is progressing.

QCA provide a checklist, to support teachers and schools implementing AfL. Using this checklist you can see how well Classroom Response System, NEO 2 and 2Know! will all support, enhance and ease the process of AfL in your school.

Assessment for learning is effective when students:

Show changes in their attitudes to learning and in their motivation, self-esteem, independence, initiative and confidence – Teachers have found that CRS raises self esteem, motivation and confidence in answering questions.

Show changes in their responses to questions, in contributions to plenary sessions, and in explanations and descriptions – Students are much more willing to suggest answers and take risks in answering.

Improve their attainment - Students have a better understanding of the learning process and are aware of the criteria for success.

Ask relevant questions – With CRS and NEO 2 it is not just for teachers to ask questions, students can ask them too.

Are actively involved in formative assessment processes – pupils can see for themselves how they are progressing using the 2Know! toolbar.

To effectively use Assessment for Learning teachers need to:

Know their students well, know why they make mistakes, and be able to make judgements about next steps or interventions - 2Know! will give full ongoing and immediate feedback on understanding and learning.

Share learning intentions with students and use them to mark work or give feedback or rewards – With 2Know! students can give immediate feedback to the teacher on how they feel they are learning.

Build in review time for themselves and their students – with 2Know! students feel better able and more confident to review their own learning so this process becomes easier.

Encourage students to take responsibility for their learning by providing opportunities for students to describe their response to learning intentions or targets, the strategies they use and the judgements they make in relation to their progress – 2Know! provides facilities for general class understanding feedback which paves the way for a more open and responsible attitude to learning.

Analyse students' performance in tests and use the information for future learning plans – 2Know can provide a complete analysis of student performance which can be used to inform future planning.

Feel confident and secure in classroom practice – 2Know! is intuitive and user friendly to support teachers in the classroom.