This thesis examines the extent to which the construction of knowledge by young children involves the practical activity of self assessment and the ways in which such activities can be developed to enhance the learning process. The research programme was carried out using ethnographic and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis within an action research framework in seven classrooms. The investigation of self assessment activities involved the exploration of the children's conceptualisation of progress; their understanding of classroom tasks; their efforts to use their peers for guidance; and their attempts to ensure that their own performance matched that of their peers. It was found that the assessment processes including positive feedback by the seven teachers often provided mixed or erroneous messages and that assessment strategies were not directly taught. Children often failed to differentiate between the teachers I expectations a n relation to their behaviour and their academic performance within a task. A social constructivist model of learning provided a framework for the development and analysis of these self assessmentactivities. In particular it provided the basis for the development of the role of the teacher and of peers as the 'more capable other' and for the location of self assessment strategies within the stages of 'scaffolding', 'handover' and independent learning. The development of self assessment strategies within this framework included the identification and assessment of targets, the use of the pupil portfolio and the development of an assessment vocabulary by the teachers and pupils which ensured a shared understanding of assessment processes. The thesis concludes that self assessment strategies are integral to the learning process and that the development of these activities can enhance the learning process by raising awareness of the activities and allowing them to be taught directly. Self assessment can increase the efficacy of scaffolding by the more capable other which in turn can lead to greater independence for the child.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:389512 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Muschamp, Yolande Mildred |
| Publisher | University of the West of England, Bristol |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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