220 / 2018-04-13 08:26:10

Pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) implementation of assessment for learning (AfL) strategies in their professional experience

assessment for learning,professional development,teacher education,pre-service teacher

全体主题 > Standards in developing language assessments

Teachers’ assessment knowledge and skill play a pivotal role for ensuring effective learning and teaching (Black & Wiliam, 1998; Hattie, 2008). However, very little attention has been paid to pre-service teachers (PSTs) assessment for learning (AfL) literacy despite research evidence showing that initial teacher preparation is problematic (Chesley & Jordan, 2012; Grainger & Adie, 2014; Greenberg & Walsh, 2012; Ogan-Bekiroglu & Suzuk, 2014; Siegel & Wissehr, 2011). This study investigates the ways in which teacher training institutes in Myanmar can support PSTs to develop their AfL literacy through professional training before their practicum. Using a design-based research approach (Anderson & Shattuck, 2012; Cobb, Confrey, DiSessa, Lehrer, & Schauble, 2003; Design-Based Research Collective, 2003; Reeves, 2006), a needs-based PSTs AfL professional development program was developed. Thirty PSTs in the treatment group participated in the implementation of AfL strategies in their professional experience (practicum). Analyses of semi-structured interviews before and after their practicum and the data collected during their practicum including their lesson plans, observation checklists and audiotapes, grounded in sociocultural perspectives, highlighted to what extent and how they implement the following AfL strategies: questioning strategies, feedback, self-assessment, peer-assessment, sharing learning intention and success criteria, rubric, and formative use of summative assessment. Furthermore, findings underscored how the supervising teachers, students and physical context of the classroom influenced PSTs AfL practices. Implications of the results for redesigning and utilizing PSTs professional development program, and more broadly for integrating AfL in the design and practicum experiences for PSTs will be discussed.