Syftet med denna studie är att få kunskap om hur sex danslärare uppfattar sitt arbete med bedömning i dans i gymnasieskolan, inom de nya ämnes-och kursplanerna från 2011. Studien avser också undersöka hur danslärarna går tillväga under feedbacksamtal i dansämnet. Mitt syfte för studien grundar sig i att jag själv har ett starkt intresse för bedömning och hur jag kan utveckla olika bedömningsmetoder. De metoder jag har använt mig av i studien är tre kvalitativa intervjuer, samt tre intervjuer via mail. Intervjupersonerna har valts på grunderna att de undervisar elever inom det estetiska programmet inriktning dans, samt att de undervisar elever enligt de nya ämnes-och kursplanerna. Resultatet visar att samtliga danslärare anser att ämnes-och kursplanerna styr deras bedömningsarbete, men även deras undervisningsplanering av kurser och lektioner. Alla lärare uppfattar att de nya ämnes-och kursplanerna från 2011 är tydliga. Resultatet visar också att danslärarna arbetar med formativ bedömning (bedömning för lärande) under läsåret och summativt inför betygsättning, då de tittar på allt insamlat material. En svårighet som alla lärarna uppger, är att få tiden att räcka till allt arbete som bedömning omfattar. På feedbacksamtal arbetar danslärarna formativt och vill både säga något om hur eleverna ligger till men också hur de ska arbeta vidare. Förutom omdöme och betyg på feedbacksamtal, vill alla lärare i undersökningen, även lyfta och stärka elevernas självförtroende och förmedla deras positiva utveckling. / The aim of this study is to gain knowledge of how six dance teachers view their work regarding assessment in Dance, in upper secondary school, within the new subject-and course syllabus from 2011. The study also aims to find out how the dance teachers go about in the feedback development dialogue in dance. The aim of the study is based upon my interest of assessment and how I further can find and develop different methods of assessment. The methods of the study are based on three qualitative interviews, as well as three interviews via e-mail. The interviewees have been chosen to participate in the study due to their students who major the Esthetic Programme, orientation Dance. The interviewees have also been chosen due to teaching within the new subject-and course syllabus. The result of the study demonstrate that the dance teachers find that the subject-and course syllabus is steering all of their work with assessment, as well as planning of courses and lessons. They also perceive the new subject-and course syllabus as very explicit. The result also shows that the dance teachers use formative assessment (assessment for learning) during the academic year. Summative assessment is used before grading, when they assess the students’ development and achievements. All teachers perceive one difficulty with assessment. They account for a shortage of time when it comes to assessing all elements of each course. During the feedback development dialogue in dance, the teachers are communicating in a formative way and present the students’ current position in the learning process, and how to reach further. In addition to rating and grading in the feedback development dialogue, all the teachers want to reinforce and strengthen the self-confidence of their students and also emphasize the students’ positive development.

Genomförda undersökningar visar att formativ bedömning förbättrar elevers inlärning och förståelse. Den svenska läroplanen från 2011 ger tydliga indikationer på att formativ bedömning ska inkluderas i undervisningen. Vår diskussion i denna uppsats är därför aktuell och den visar hur forskare artikulerar fenomenet formativ bedömning. Litteraturstudien inkluderar information om vad formativ bedömning innebär och förslag på hur man kan arbeta utifrån ett sådant arbetssätt. Vår studie visar att de viktigaste komponenterna inom formativ bedömning är att tydliggöra målen, återkoppling samt själv- och kamratbedömning. Beskrivningarna av dessa resulterar i en analys där vi diskuterar det formativa arbetssättet. Både positiva och negativa aspekter tas upp. Vårt syfte med denna uppsats är att införskaffa djupare kunskaper om formativ bedömning likväl för oss själva som för redan aktiva lärare. Vi har en föraning om att många lärare inte har tillräckliga kunskaper kring ämnet och vår förhoppning är att denna uppsats kan fungera som ett verktyg för lärare som arbetar med eller skulle vilja arbeta med formativ bedömning. / Previous research shows that formative assessments improve pupils’ learning and understanding. Also, the Swedish Curriculum 2011 gives clear guidance that formative assessment should be included in school. Our discussion in this essay is therefore needed and it deals with how researchers articulate the phenomenon formative assessment. The study includes information about what formative assessment means and suggestions for how to work with it are given. The main parts within formative assessment are to clarify learning goals, feedback and self- and peer assessment. The information about these main parts ends in an analysis where a discussion about formative assessment and its positive and negative effects takes place.   Furthermore, the purpose of this essay is to inherit deeper knowledge about formative assessment as well for ourselves as for teachers already on duty. We anticipate that many teachers do not have sufficient knowledge about formative assessment and our expectation is that this essay can function as a tool for teachers who work or would like to work with formative assessment.

This thesis focuses on teachers’ assessment practices in primary and lower secondary schools for technology education (Sv. Teknik). It is grounded in my prior experience as a teacher but also addresses the national and international research fields of technology education and assessment. The thesis is based on four papers covering different aspects of teachers’ assessment practices in technology. Its aim is to contribute to knowledge regarding how teachers use assessments in primary and lower secondary school. The thesis explores: teachers’ formal documenting practices; primary teachers’ minute-by-minute classroom assessment; teachers’ views on assessment and finally teachers’ statements and motives relating to criteria for success while assessing students’ e-portfolios. The choice of methods varies, depending on the focus of each sub-study, including quantitative data, collected from official governmental databases, software-generated statistical data and questionnaires as well as qualitative methods such as observations and interviews. Formal documents proved to be unsupportive for teachers’ assessment practices. Lack of instruction and deficiencies in design templates made these documents practically useless. The classroom study shows that the studied teachers have great ambitions for their pupils to succeed but lack collegial support concerning their assessment practices. Findings also show that teachers who are specifically trained in technology show higher self-efficacy regarding their assessment practices. Based on the results from the teachers' assessments of e-portfolios, it is concluded that there is consensus among the teachers to focus on the whole rather than on particular details in student’s work. The overall results strengthen the importance of designing activities and that students should be taught and not left to unreflective doing in technology. Teachers’ assessment practices are complex. This thesis shows that teachers work with assessment in different ways. It is also shown that the educational environment is not supportive enough. Assessment is a necessity in the endeavour of bridging teaching and learning in technology, thus affordance for teachers’ assessment practices must be increased. / <p>QC 20150216</p>

A major thrust in assessment reform is the instructional use of assessment (Ministry, 2010). Assessment for learning (AFL) has, however, proven challenging for teachers to implement (Brookhart, 2004; Swaffield, 2011; Tierney, 2006). Researchers have called for studies of classrooms that show how AFL works in practice (Bennett, 2011; Shepard, 2000). This study gathers images of practice from classrooms where teachers have been implementing a structure-based approach called Question Structure. Although a key premise of AFL is that assessment can be used instructionally to support learning, Question Structure’s constructivist-information-processing approach is rooted in educational measurement traditions usually juxtaposed to AFL theory and practice (Broadfoot & Black, 2004). Images of practice were drawn from classroom observation, teaching artifacts, and interviews from teachers who had been implementing the system for three to six years in three Ontario school boards. Data were analyzed through sub-questions emerging from the literature and through grounded theory. The study found that Question Structure supported AFL principles and practices. It also supported a Tylerian, backwards-design approach to program design, but not to excess. Technical revisions tended to evolve into significant change in practice, including program reconceptualization and increased focus on students’ learning. The structure-based approach functioned in a variety of ways, for example to support task clarification, (re)reading and comprehension of text, writing process, open-ended collaborative work, and student-generated questions. Teachers were able to clarify the meaning of ‘structure,’ to distinguish structures from instructional and cognitive strategies, and to use universal structures and strategies as subject-specific pedagogy in Language Arts/English. The role of the technical interest and implications for professional learning are also discussed.

A major thrust in assessment reform is the instructional use of assessment (Ministry, 2010). Assessment for learning (AFL) has, however, proven challenging for teachers to implement (Brookhart, 2004; Swaffield, 2011; Tierney, 2006). Researchers have called for studies of classrooms that show how AFL works in practice (Bennett, 2011; Shepard, 2000). This study gathers images of practice from classrooms where teachers have been implementing a structure-based approach called Question Structure. Although a key premise of AFL is that assessment can be used instructionally to support learning, Question Structure’s constructivist-information-processing approach is rooted in educational measurement traditions usually juxtaposed to AFL theory and practice (Broadfoot & Black, 2004). Images of practice were drawn from classroom observation, teaching artifacts, and interviews from teachers who had been implementing the system for three to six years in three Ontario school boards. Data were analyzed through sub-questions emerging from the literature and through grounded theory. The study found that Question Structure supported AFL principles and practices. It also supported a Tylerian, backwards-design approach to program design, but not to excess. Technical revisions tended to evolve into significant change in practice, including program reconceptualization and increased focus on students’ learning. The structure-based approach functioned in a variety of ways, for example to support task clarification, (re)reading and comprehension of text, writing process, open-ended collaborative work, and student-generated questions. Teachers were able to clarify the meaning of ‘structure,’ to distinguish structures from instructional and cognitive strategies, and to use universal structures and strategies as subject-specific pedagogy in Language Arts/English. The role of the technical interest and implications for professional learning are also discussed.

Traditional tests for large-scale assessment of mathematics learning have been criticized for several reasons, such as their mismatch between the vision of mathematical competence and the content covered by the test, and their failure to provide relevant information for guiding further learning and instruction. To achieve that large-scale assessments can function as tools for monitoring and improving learning and teaching, one has to move away from the rationale, the constraints, and the practices of traditional tests. As an illustration this paper presents an alternative approach to largescale assessment of elementary school mathematics developed in Flanders, Belgium Using models of item response theory, 14 measurement scales were constructed, each representing a cluster of curriculum standards and covering as a whole the mathematics curriculum relating to numbers, measurement and geometry. A representative sample of 5,763 sixth-graders (12-year-olds) belonging to 184 schools participated in the study. Based on expert judgments a cut-off score was set that determines the minimum level that students must achieve on each scale to master the standards. Overall, the more innovative curriculum standards were mastered less well than the more traditional ones. Few gender differences in performance were observed. The advantages of this approach and its further development are discussed.

There are a myriad of factors that influence the teaching and assessment of English as a foreign language in Israel. One such factor is the change in perception of how the mind collects and processes information. The transition from behaviorist theories of learning to constructivist and cognitivist theories has resulted in a new concept of learning that recognises the pivotal role of the learner in the learning process. Another instrumental factor is the creation of standards in education that are intended to raise the level of academic achievement and provide equitable educational opportunities for all learners. Both of these factors have impacted the study of English as a foreign language. Countries around the world have assumed monumental changes in the way they approach foreign language study. Following the examples of foreign countries Israel has recently implemented a standards-based curriculum that supports alternative assessment. Since this is a relatively new concept, the principles underlying standards and assessment are unfamiliar to many EFL teachers. Novice teachers, as well as experienced teachers, are experiencing difficulty incorporating standards and alternative assessment into their lessons. In the light of the above it was clear that a need existed to investigate how English foreign language teachers relate to assessment and to examine the extent to which they implement alternative assessment in their teaching. The aim of the study is to explore teachers' understanding of alternative assessment and find out how teachers incorporate alternative assessment in their EFL classes. Against this background, an empirical investigation was undertaken. It comprised a textual analysis of ten assessment packages and two focus group interviews. The research produced a wealth of descriptive data that illuminated the subject. The findings magnified the disparity between the theory behind alternative assessment and actual practice. It was apparent that the assessment activities which EFL teachers employed, were not in sync with the principles that were being promoted by the new curriculum for EFL teaching and assessment in Israeli schools. The study discusses the results of the investigation, suggests the implications and presents recommendations. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (Didactics)

Empirical research evidences have confirmed the pedagogical power of formative assessment to improve students‟ learning, particularly in science education. Thus, this study investigated science teachers‟ practice of assessment for learning in second cycle secondary schools at East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State. To meet this objective mixed method research design, particularly concurrent mixed method was used. The subjects of the study were all of science teachers in the randomly selected schools. Questionnaire, semi-structured interview, and observation were used to collect the data. From 186 science teachers, 153 teachers properly filled and returned the questionnaire. Moreover, 8 purposively selected teachers were included in the interview and observation sessions. To analyze the quantitative data, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, one-sample t-test, multiple regression, MANOVA, and ANOVA were used. For the qualitative data content analysis was used. The results of the quantitative and qualitative data showed that the practice of assessment for learning in the selected schools was very low. Most science teachers administered tests, home works, assignments, and class works at the end of the lesson to consolidate what they taught and to collect marks, but they did not integrate different assessment for learning methods throughout their instruction for the sake of learning. Teachers mentioned lack of science resources, large class size, shortage of instructional time, inadequate school support, lack of appropriate professional development activities, lack of instructional materials, students‟ and teachers‟ negative perception on formative assessment, teachers‟ lack of knowledge and skill about formative assessment, and large content of courses as major factors for not implementing assessment for learning. Besides, this study revealed a significant relationship between teachers‟ perception and school supports with teachers‟ overall practice of assessment for learning. Teaching experience has also significant effect on the combined practice of assessment for learning, particularly teaching experience significantly affects the collection of learning evidences than other factors. However, class size, subject taught, and teaching load per week have no significant effect on the combined practice of assessment for learning. Moreover, the pre-service and in-service assessment trainings have no significant contributions to the practice of assessment for learning. Therefore, comprehensive and relevant assessment trainings should be given for science teachers on a regular basis to integrate assessment with daily instruction to improve learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

This diploma thesis Formative Assessment in Primary School Education deals mainly with the classroom assessment, which provides the pupils with purposeful feedback on their learning at the time when their performance can still be improved. It is a very frequent assessment of pupil's progress. The first part of this diploma thesis deals with classroom assessment and describes the different types of assessment, its forms and tools. After embedding formative assessment to the context of classroom assessment, the thesis deals with the definition of this term and it closely clarifies its history, different approaches, and it especially specifies the use of formative assessment in practice. Part of the text, which is concerned with formative assessment strategies, closely explains concepts such as feedback, dealing with mistakes, questioning or peer-feedback. Major part of this work is dedicated to formative assessment techniques, which may function as a collection of valuable ideas and recommendations for teachers about working with pupils and assessing them in class. The second part of this diploma thesis presents an empirical research concerned with assessment of two teachers of Social Science and Czech language and literature at the selected primary school. Through case-study are examined these: in...

I denna uppsats görs en ansats till att beskriva de åländska grundskollärarnas tolkning och praktiserande av formativt lärande, detta med ett samhällsvetenskapligt perspektiv. Studien görs i ljuset av aktuella pedagogiska mediala inlägg och den trend kring formativa metoder som just nu råder. Resultatet baseras på aktuella nationella (Sverige och Finland) och internationella studier och forskningsöversikter samt aktuella teorier om formativt lärande. Empirin utgörs av en enkätundersökning riktad till samtliga grundskollärare på Åland. Resultat och syntes presenteras utgående från de två frågeställningarna: Vad inbegriper de åländska lärarna i begreppet formativt lärande, samt hur praktiserar de åländska lärarna formativt lärande och vilka samband kan utläsas på basen av förutsättningarna på Åland? De insamlade enkätsvaren består av kvalitativt material vilket sedan kvantifierats inför analyserna. Analyserna utgörs av deskriptiv kvalitativ sammanställning i form av tabeller och katalogisering av utsagor samt genomförande av kvantitativa sambandsanalyser bland annat med hjälp av index. Några allmängiltiga slutsatser låter sig inte formuleras på grund av ett stort externt bortfall men en del tendenser och antydningar träder fram i resultatet. Kring förståelsen av begreppet formativt lärande verkar de flesta åländska lärarna koppla ihop det med de tre metodfaserna: elevens nuläge, mål och vad nästa steg är. Få lärare drar paralleller till att formativt lärande också består av lärarperspektivet där denna skall (om)forma sin egen undervisning. Att feedbacken har en viktig roll inom formativt lärande framträder också i resultatet. Forskningsbaserade utvecklingsarbeten inom pedagogiska områden verkar inte vara utbrett på Åland. Vad gäller de sambandsanalyser som genomförs med bakgrundsvariabler - exempelvis lärarnas examinationsland och arbetserfarenhet - och index är det svårt att dra några slutsatser. Starkast samband går dock att finna mellan index Feedback och index Elevdelaktighet samt mellan index Feedback och index Kollegialt lärande. Resultatet antyder också att lärare med finländsk examen jämfört med de med svensk kan vara mer frekventa användare av formativa metoder. / In this thesis, an effort is made to describe the interpretation and practice of formative learning by the Åland elementary school teachers from a social science perspective. The study is conducted in the light of current pedagogical medial posts and the trend currently surrounding formative methods. The result is based on current national (Sweden and Finland) and international research studies and reviews as well as current theories of formative learning. The empirical data consist of a survey conducted for all primary school teachers in Åland. Results and ideas are presented on the basis of the two questions: What do the Åland teachers include in the concept of formative learning, and how do the Åland teachers practice formative learning and which correlations are possible to derive from the conditions in Åland? The collected survey data consist of qualitative material which then was quantified before the analysis. The analysis consists of a descriptive qualitative synthesis in the form of tables and cataloging of statements as well as the implementation of quantitative correlation analyzes using indexes. Although some general conclusions are difficult to formulate due to a large external drop-out, some trends and suggestions appear in the result. Regarding the concept of formative learning, most Åland teachers seem to make a link with the three methodological stages: the student's current situation, goals and what the next step is. Few teachers draw parallels to the fact that formative learning also consists of the teacher's perspective where the teacher should reshape his/hers own teaching. The fact that feedback has an important role in formative learning is also reflected in the results. Research-based developmental work in educational areas does not appear to be widespread in Åland. With regards to the correlation analysis carried out with background variables, such as the teachers' country of degree and work experience, and indexes, it is difficult to draw any conclusions. However, the strongest correlation can be found between feedback index and student-participation index as well as between feedback index and collegial-learning index. The result also suggests that teachers with Finnish degrees may be more frequent users of formative methods compared to teachers with Swedish degrees.