Use student discourse as formative assessment | The Transformative Ten #9

Описание: NWEA researcher Chase Nordengren conducted a multi-year study of effective instructional practices at high-growth schools, and the result was a set of strategies we call the Transformative Ten. See all the startegies and learn more about the High Growth for All project and our time working alongside the educators of Schiller Park, IL by visiting our website: http://www.nwea.org/high-growth

Strategy 9: Use student discourse as formative assessment

What is it? There are elements of higher-order thinking that only reveal themselves in conversation. It may look like students asking why, how, and what-if questions or working in pairs or groups to build on one another’s knowledge bases. High-growth educators create opportunities for this discourse to happen, and in observing these conversations, capture evidence of understanding.

How does it work? Christina shares her approach to capturing student dialogue.
“I have my portable desk, I call it… I’ll just simply just sit there and listen and make those mental notes and make those observations.”

Try this: To encourage thoughtful discussion in your classroom, create opportunities for student discourse around grade-level topics early and often. By setting active and complex engagement as the goal for these activities, you can generate important formative insights that help focus your attention on getting all students in your class to that level of discourse quickly.