Learning, Assessment, Feedback Routine

In another study, Black and Wiliam (2010) add that many of the studies also show that improved formative assessment (or feedback) helps lower achieving students more than the rest, and so raises the overall standard of attainment while reducing the gap between higher- and lower-achieving students.

Assessment and Feedback needs to be part of an ongoing assessment culture in the classroom that is not necessarily about ‘testing’. Every lesson should be framed by a Learning Intention and Success Criteria. These enable a student to understand what they are intended to learn and how they can assess their movement towards that learning. They should be lesson specific as well as defined in terms of the Topic and Unit. The Development Pathway assists a teacher plan the understanding and skills element of a learning experience. So, what are they?

What is a Learning Intention?

A learning intention in education is a clear statement that specifies what students are expected to know, understand or be able to do as a result of a particular learning experience or lesson. It is essentially a statement of learning outcomes or goals that teachers set for their students.

Learning intentions typically state what the students will learn, why they need to learn it and how they will learn it. They are often written in simple and concise language that is easily understood by the students.

Learning intentions are an important aspect of effective teaching because they help to provide a clear focus and direction for both the teacher and the students. They also help to ensure that the learning experience is meaningful and relevant for the students and that it is aligned with the curriculum and learning standards. By setting clear learning intentions, teachers can help to facilitate the learning process and promote student engagement, motivation and achievement.

What are Success Criteria?

Success criteria refer to the specific goals or outcomes that students are expected to achieve in order to demonstrate their learning and mastery of a particular topic or skill. Success criteria may include a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes that students should be able to demonstrate by the end of a lesson, unit or course.

Success criteria are typically established by educators or curriculum developers to guide teaching and learning. They can take various forms, including learning objectives, rubrics, checklists or other assessment tools that help both teachers and students understand what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated. Success criteria can also be used to help students monitor their own progress, set goals and reflect on their learning.

Examples of success criteria in education could include things like demonstrating the understanding of a concept by explaining it in one's own words, solving a particular type of problem, producing a written report or presentation, participating in a group discussion or applying a skill in a real-world context. Ultimately, success criteria help ensure that students are achieving the learning outcomes that are necessary for their future success.