Key characteristics of
assessment for learning
Examples of teaching strategies in
lesson
Impact on learning
Sharing learning
objectives with pupils
Teacher:
• explains objectives;
• provides sheet with learning
objectives for pupils to refer to;
• questions pupils to check
understanding;
Pupils:
• gain clear understanding of
what they are to learn.
Helping pupils to know
and recognise the
standards they are
aiming for;
Teacher:
• explains success criteria;
• models success by providing
examples of previous work
• teases out, through whole-class
discussion, what is good about
work presented
Pupils:
• gain clear understanding
of the standards they are
aiming for
• recognise features of good
work.
Involving pupils in peer
and self assessment
Teacher:
• provides sheet with success criteria
for pupils to refer to;
Pupils:
• assess progress they
have made;
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• helps pupils interpret learning
outcomes in the context of their own
piece of music;
• provides opportunities for
discussion so that pupils can
comment on and improve their
work;
• provides time for pupils to reflect
on what they’ve learned.
• identify how they can
improve their work;
• act as critical friends.
Providing feedback
which leads to pupils
recognising their next
steps and how to take
them
Teacher:
• questions pupils in groups about
their work;
• provides oral feedback;
• builds on responses to help them
steps with each other;
take the next steps in learning;
• in whole-class discussion uses
examples of work to highlight
how different aspects of composition
can be improved.
Pupils:
• see more clearly what
they need to do next;
• are able to discuss next
• in whole-class discussion
learn from each other how to
improve.
Promoting confidence
that every pupil can
improve
Teacher:
• provides positive and constructive
feedback;
• matches learning objectives to
needs by pitching them at a level
which challenges individuals;
• celebrates success and sets
appropriate targets;
• works in partnership with teaching
assistant.
Pupils:
• remain engaged and
on task;
• gain satisfaction
regarding their own
progress;
• have a sense that they
can continue to improve.
Involving both teacher
and pupil in reviewing
and reflecting on
assessment information
Teacher:
• maintains continuous dialogue
about progress being made;
• frequently reminds pupils
of learning objectives and
success criteria;
• balances teacher assessment
with peer and self assessment;
• makes effective use of plenary
reflection – for example, ‘no hands
up’ questioning and
paired discussion
Pupils:
• reflect on learning;
• focus on learning
objectives and success
criteria;
• measure own progress and
that of their peers;
• take responsibility for
their learning;
• perform to a high standard
and make good progress.
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Sharing learning objectives with the pupils
Writing learning objectives – common stems
By the end of the lesson pupils will:
• know that … ( knowledge: factual information, e.g. names, places, symbols,
formulae, events)
• develop/be able to … ( skills: using knowledge, applying techniques, analysing
information, etc.)
• understand how/why … ( understanding: concepts, reasons, effects, principles,
processes, etc.)
• develop/be aware of … ( attitudes and values: empathy, caring, sensitivity
towards social issues, feelings, moral issues, etc.)
Learning objectives may also focus on how pupils learn (e.g. ‘to appreciate how
peer assessment can help you to improve your own work’)
Establishing learning objectives
• Teaching objectives provide the focus for learning objectives in individual
lessons
• In foundation subjects schemes of work/units of study provide medium-term
teaching objectives
• In most lessons it is better to focus on two or three learning objectives
• Some learning objectives might relate to improving how pupils learn (e.g.
developing a thinking skill or learning strategy)
• There may be a range of learning outcomes from one learning objective
• Objectives and intended outcomes have most impact when they are shared in
pupil-friendly language to help formulate questioning and focus the plenary
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Individual self-evaluation of existing practice using learning objectives
Reflects
current
practice
Some further
development
required
Specific
attention needed
Sharing learning objectives
Learning objectives in lessons can
be tracked back to teaching
objectives in medium-term plans.
Learning objectives for each lesson
are shared with pupils and clearly
separated from explanation of the
activity.
If asked during a lesson, pupils can
explain what they are trying to
learn and why.
Questioning and explaining is
focused on learning objectives of
the lesson
Sharing expected learning
outcomes
Learning outcomes are established
in teachers’ planning and
exemplify what the successful
learning will look like.
Learning outcomes are shared,
discussed and agreed with pupils.
Learning outcomes are
differentiated to ensure all pupils
can make progress towards the
learning objectives.
If asked during a lesson, pupils can
explain what they need to do to
demonstrate success.
Learning outcomes form the basis
of feedback to, and discussions
with, the pupils.
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Peer and self assessment
Peer and self assessment have been found to be most effective when:
• pupils are made aware of the learning objectives and expected learning outcomes.
Objectives and outcomes are a regular feature of lessons and become an integral
part of reviewing learning rather than a ‘bolt-on’ activity;
• pupils are central in the process of identifying what they have achieved and what
they could improve upon.
Strategies for developing pupils’ skills in peer and self assessment
There are many practical strategies used by teachers to promote the development
of peer and self assessment. Here are a few.
Pupil-led plenary
Where the common mode for the plenary of a lesson is a teacher-led discussion or
summary of the lesson, an alternative approach would be to ask a small group of
pupils to remind the class of the learning objectives of a lesson. They could then
lead a discussion to review the progress pupils have made and what next steps they
need to take. This strategy assumes that the sharing of learning objectives and
intended learning outcomes with pupils is already routine.
Here are a few suggestions as to how you might go about this.
1. Inform pupils that they will sometimes be asked to lead future plenaries and you
will model how this might be done.
2. Model for pupils what they might say and how this can be used to find out what
pupils have learned and what they need to develop.
3. Inform any group of pupils in advance before asking them to help lead a plenary
session.
4. In each session where pupils are asked to share the lead of a plenary ensure that
their confidence continues to be built upon.
5. Ask pupils to discuss briefly in groups whether they agree with any summaries
given by the pupil group.
6. Invite pupils to offer additional and complementary points.
7. Ensure that pupils leading a plenary receive your full, tactful back-up and
support.
‘Traffic lights’
Teacher trains pupils to indicate directly on their work to what extent they feel they
have achieved the learning objective of the task and how secure they are in their
learning.
• Green – achieved, confident (go ahead)
pendix 5.1
• Amber – some progress, elements of success, some uncertainty (seek advice)
• Red – not achieved, confused (alert teacher)
This helps teachers identify early warnings of difficulty and encourages pupils to
be proactive in seeking help.
‘Thumbs up’
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This is a quick strategy for gauging pupil response – pupils show thumbs up,
sideways or down to indicate their perception of their achievement.
• Thumbs up – confident they have achieved what was expected
• Thumbs sideways – some way there, but could achieve more
• Thumbs down – little progress towards achieving
Self-assessment using generic prompt questions
This helps to develop the skill of pupils regularly reviewing their own work and
the work of others. Teachers can display and use the prompt questions below.
• What areas of your work do you think could be improved and why?
• What did you find hardest and where can you get help?
A learning diary
Pupils, on a regular basis (e.g. every third lesson), review their own progress in
relation to their targets. In the first instance the teacher should use generic
questions that pupils use regularly to develop their skills of reviewing their
learning through keeping a diary.
Examples of diary prompts
• What we did in (subject) this week
• What I have found out/learned this week
• What do I need to focus on next?
• What have I done well this week?
Effective peer and self assessment
Key requirements in developing these skills:
• Expected learning outcomes must be explicit and transparent to pupils
• Pupils need to be able to identify when they have met some or all of the success
criteria
• Pupils need to be taught the skills of collaboration in peer assessment
• Pupils need to be able to assess their own progress to become more independent
learners
Implications for teaching
To develop peer and self assessment, teachers need to:
• train pupils over time to assess their own work and the work of others
• plan peer and self assessment opportunities in lessons
• explain the learning objectives and intended outcomes behind each task
• guide pupils to identify their next steps
• frequently and consistently encourage pupils’
self-reflection on their learning
• plan opportunities and time to allow pupils to do it
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Oral feedback
Feedback works in three directions:
• Teacher to pupil – teacher giving information to pupils regarding current
achievement, and next steps.
• Pupil to teacher – teacher receiving feedback from pupils about their learning.
• Pupil to pupil – in peer assessment.
All of these are important, necessary and very clearly interlinked. In offering oral
feedback the teacher should model the language of feedback that pupils can then
employ themselves
Some advantages of oral feedback to pupils
• Immediate and context-specific – able to deal with misconceptions as they
occur and in the context of the specific learning.
• Dynamic and adaptable – allows for exchange of ideas and is adaptable to
respective learning needs at the point of receiving.
• Ongoing – a continuous and familiar part of a lesson.
• Episodic – a lesson can be punctuated with plenary moments to structure
learning with reference to the objectives threaded through the lesson.
• Stimulating – oral feedback can encourage, enthuse and stimulate.
• Personalised – facial expressions and body language enhance feedback.
• Versatile – questioning, modelling and explaining can all be used as means of
providing feedback.
• Motivating – pupils like immediate oral feedback and respond easily as the
learning is fresh, and quick improvements build a feeling of success.
Continuum of oral feedback
Instant, informal reply
Interim review at the end of
key episodes during a lesson to build
on learning
Planned review with individual
or groups of pupils
focusing on their targets
A suggested sequence for giving individual oral feedback in a planned review
1. Plan feedback which is positive and specific
2. Reinforce the value and importance of the pupils’ contribution
3. Focus on recent learning objectives and learning outcomes in the context of
pupil targets
4. Give the pupil(s) time to reflect and respond
5. Encourage the pupil(s) to ask questions to clarify their understanding of the
progress they have made
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6. Identify and agree the most important next steps in learning and revise pupil
targets if necessary
7. Agree immediate and longer-term actions. Clarify when these will be reviewed,
by whom, and what evidence will be sought
Some solutions to possible difficulties
• Instant responses from the teacher may not always be well considered or
sufficiently focused on learning objectives.
– Feedback should always be very clearly related to the lesson objectives and avoid
comment on extraneous factors or areas; the objective needs to be fully explored at
the outset of the lesson, task or episode.
–Wait time before and after questions or required responses encourages pupils to
consider carefully and expand on their response. Other pupils can be asked to
reflect or comment on the response before the teacher responds.
– Encourage pupils to use specific learning outcomes (success criteria) to assess
their own or others’ responses, before or after your feedback.
– Using prompts such as Would you like to say a bit more about that? gives the
teacher the opportunity to see what stage of thinking the learner has reached and to
fine-tune feedback as appropriate. Such teacher responses also make the process
developmental.
– Teachers should attempt to pre-empt possible misconceptions and issues in
explanation of the task.
– Teachers can use pre-emptive strategies, e.g. discuss possible pitfalls and success
criteria when setting tasks.
– Targeting questions or plenary activities at specific pupils can reduce the
likelihood of inappropriate responses from pupils.
– Teachers need to consider the style of feedback given as well as the content and
its implication for the way the lesson progresses, e.g. the choice between simple
acknowledgement that an answer is correct or a response that urges further
amplification or exploration.
• Pupils do not act on oral feedback and do not take it seriously. Other pupils
do not listen to it.
– It takes time to develop a supportive culture in the classroom and to establish that
your own and other pupils’ errors are learning opportunities.
– It takes time to establish the value and importance of giving and receiving
feedback.
– While focusing on specific areas of a response, be prepared to say when an
answer is wrong in order to avoid confusion or reinforcing misconceptions.
– Pupils need explicit training and practice in the ground rules of speaking and
listening.
– Ask another pupil to follow up on feedback.
• Unplanned responses can become random and fail to develop pupils’
learning in a structured way.
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– Questions and tasks need to be planned to encourage higher-level thinking and
responses so that feedback can help develop it.
– Structure chains of questions and tasks incrementally so that feedback also
moves learning on.
– Ensure that some time is built in for more extended or structured feedback at an
appropriate time.
• Oral feedback is ephemeral.
– This is largely true but what is important is to ensure pupils have time to respond
and act on the feedback if necessary.
1.1 cont.
– It may be helpful in some instances to get pupils to reflect on the feedback and
write their next steps or targets in their exercise books, or to revise their
work/performance/learning behaviours in the light of feedback there and then.
– Make a mental (or actual) note of pupils’ responses and return to points later to
check on understanding and follow up.
• Pupils may feel exposed by public feedback.
– The key is to establish a supportive environment in which pupils are happy to
contribute to the lesson. Share the process by encouraging pupils to talk through
their thinking and identify points at which they went wrong or identify ways to
improve.
– Establish the idea that if you are not making mistakes you are not learning.
– Create a challenge culture over time where genuine errors are perceived as
positive learning opportunities, and where challenge is welcomed and pupils do not
automatically choose the easiest option.
– Provide opportunities to give private or small group feedback.
– Establish routines for group and guided work.
– Always reinforce the value of the pupils’ contribution.
– On occasions, be willing to acknowledge your own errors or lack of specific
knowledge.
• Pupils may not have the time needed to reflect on the feedback and respond
to it.
– Not all responses will require reflection or adjustment; some simply confirm,
acknowledge or encourage.
– Provide more time by echoing the point, e.g. So what you’re saying is …
– Build in time for pupils to amend work.
– Build in regular structured review points.
• Feedback may not be immediately understood.
– Use pupils or their work to exemplify your comments.
– If you are unsure check later.
• Individuals can dominate question and answer sessions and extended oral
feedback slows down learning for others in the class.
– ‘No hands up’ questioning is an excellent way of ensuring time for reflection,
involving all pupils in thinking and enabling teachers to target and support
individuals.
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– If instant oral feedback reveals the need for more extended interaction with an
individual, which will not be of benefit to the class, make time later, such as during
independent work.
– Offer more extended feedback in small groups.
– Feed back to the whole class when it is relevant, using methods other than
questioning, e.g. demonstration, or check pupils’ understanding by silent methods,
e.g. whiteboards or ‘show me’ activities.
• Time for individual feedback is limited.
– Try to offer collective feedback to the class where there are shared learning tasks.
– Utilise small group or guided work on a regular basis to offer feedback to pupils
with similar needs.
– Establish understanding that periodic reviews or coaching sessions will be
available to all pupils on a rotation basis.
Oral feedback for different purposes
Feedback for
different purposes
Examples of oral prompts
Correcting
Good try, but that’s not an error correct, actually it’s …
Providing
Yes, what you’re talking information about is called …
Appraising
praising
That would make sense, praising good thinking …
Has anyone else tried this or something similar?
Challenging
Try that again. This time include/vary …
Seeking
What do you mean when clarification you say it needs more
detail?
Encouraging
How might you take that exploration, argument even further?
elaboration or
development
Which would be the best way to …?
Redirecting
That’s a detailed learning or illustration. Now move on
activity to the explanation as it is also important.
Focusing or
orienting learning
All this is important but it’s really your use of…
That will really improve your work.
Confirmation
moving learning
on
Yes, that’s right, and now you can …
Crystallising next
steps
So spend a few minutes deciding on two changes you will
make to your …
Distilling and
summarising
learning
Let’s think about what we’ve learned so far.
Firstly, we’ve found out …
Encouraging
pupils to reflect
Let’s just think about what we’ve discussed
– is there anything else you might do?
Focusing on
learning strategies
Excellent, now how exactly did you manage approaches and
to improve on …?
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