Posted by upbeat | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on November 4, 2008
Sustaining Teacher Learning Communities
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries
Around 130 Dumfries & Galloway teachers met in the Cairndale Hotel for a professional development day led by Professor Dylan Wiliam. Yes, just the one L in Wiliam! Teachers attending today’s course are planning to take part over the next year (or two!) in Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs). A TLC consists of a group of (ideally 8-10) teachers who commit to meeting together regularly to improve their teaching and learning, supporting each other in the process. Additionally, each TLC will be supported by tutors engaged by the Tapestry Partnership with 4 meetings between now and june 2009.
Following a welcome and introduction from Keith Best, the day started with the Ceilidh Band ‘Shoogle’ from Wallace Hall Academy. Their musical contribution was greatly enjoyed and appreciated. Dylan Wiliam then led sessions on formative assessment looking at research evidence and practical techniques.
Dylan Wiliam expressed the clear view that the single most important variable in school effectiveness is the quality of the teacher in the classroom. How can we improve teacher quality? Dylan’s position is that there is compelling and convincing research demonstrating that the only realistic and cost effective way forward is to improve the quality of existing teachers through their development in the use of formative assessment and assessment for learning techniques. “Teaching is a complex business and a lifetime is not long enough to master it,” said Dylan.
Formative assessment is all about students knowing where they are, where they are going and having an understanding of how they might get there. The effects of formative assessment should demonstrate improved classroom practice and improved student engagement. Dylan highlighted the importance of teachers developing skills in the quality of questioning of students and in the various types of feedback given. Assessment is only formative if the information fed back to the learner is used by the learner in making improvements. Other aspects of formative assessment discussed by Dylan included sharing criteria with learners, peer-assessment and self-assessment.
The day concluded with a discussion on arrangements for establishing TLCs across Dumfries & Galloway and a vote of thanks to Dylan for leading an excellent staff development day in presenting the effective use of formative assessment techniques.