Self evaluation and impact on learners
On hearing of the importance of self evaluation in modern inspections, I searched for and found a helpful document on the HMIe site. I have reproduced part of it here (the part concerning our teaching’s impact on learners), and I have included my own responses to these points. These are not intended to be comprehensive or exhaustive – they are merely a start point, and I would welcome any comments you may wish to make, or any ideas/responses you may wish to offer. It is only by being open and sharing that we can be sure we have arrived at best practice.
I can be contacted at stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk .
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How well do we meet
the needs of our stakeholders? |
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INDICATORS |
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2.1 Impact on learners
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Questions you might
ask |
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What evidence do we have
that learners are:
Learning intentions are shared at the start of the class. Variety of methods and strategies. Differentiation in course books used, tasks set and in way elements
are taught. Encouraging atmosphere in which pupils may answer without fear. Personalisation – pupils are encouraged to contribute to work of
class, and teachers (and pupils) share anecdotes which are related to context
and vocabulary being studied. Listening to and reacting to pupils’ questions and suggestions. Collaborative approach to learning – as a class, in groups or in
pairs. Pupils may help one another, or may readily ask for help/make
suggestions.
Quality teaching and learning, using a variety of methods and sources. Regular revision and testing in class. Regular homework/revision exercises. End of unit testing with clear outline of success criteria and information
on how to achieve them. Opportunities to participate in the work of the class, correction and assessment
of class work, working in pairs or groups to discuss and produce pieces of
work. Opportunities to participate in and organise extra-curricular
activities such as trips, concerts, documentary production, website
contribution, languages at work days, work experience placements with a slant
toward languages. Pupils are frequently involved in the assessment of their own progress.
Success criteria may be made available and they may judge their own or
others’ performance in accordance with these criteria. If a performance
doesn’t meet the criteria, they may be asked what pupils can do to improve. Production of materials to help pupils’ learning and understanding –
workbooks, homework booklets, grammar booklets, articles on various aspects
of film, articles on various aspects of teaching.
Every attempt is made to build on previous knowledge, emphasising the
need for thorough and regular revision and understanding. Comprehensive notes are provided to help pupils revise and understand. Work becomes steadily more demanding both linguistically and in terms
of content, requiring pupils to be ever more reflective. If pupils have not demonstrated clear knowledge of elements, these
will be revisited and attempts made to analyse the root of their problem. Staff are regularly available during lunch hour and at the
end of the day for consultation on any topic which is causing problems. How do we know that
participants’ educational experiences are contributing to them becoming:
Advances made in ability to understand and communicate with others and
all forms of text, including advances made in the knowledge of their mother
tongue and familiarity with a number of contexts in which this language is
learned. Regular discussion of pupil progress at Departmental Meetings, along
with possible changes in learning and teaching to meet pupil requirements.
As they realise that they are able to communicate and understand, so
their confidence should grow, especially as they learn to prepare for and
reflect on a variety of situations, contexts and topics. This is closely
linked with their contributions to the work of the class, participation in
class work and extra curricular activities, the praise they receive for their
work, and the positive (formative) contribution made
by evaluation and assessment.
Responsibility should be developed primarily through mutual respect in
the classroom and learning to appreciate the value of regular effort. This
will also be developed through a series of thought-provoking lessons and
themes, with pupils going far beyond mere linguistic exploitation of a text.
See “confident individuals”, but effective contribution can take a
variety of forms, and account should be taken of the ability of those
concerned – a few words can reflect a huge effort on the part of some.
Contribution in class can obviously take the form of spoken work, written
work, reading or listening, but it can also take the form of organisation,
leadership, initiative, production of variety and quantity of material,
concentration, discipline, a willingness to help others. Awareness of these
qualities should be relayed to pupils. How do we know that our
provision is helping participants to be:
A good level of discipline is maintained throughout the school, with
immediate and effective action by SMT where appropriate.
Good relationships and approachability tend to ensure security and safety.
A good knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of our pupils
(reinforced by regular testing) help us to gauge what our pupils need to
progress.
This can be overtaken through topics studied, building awareness of
health issues, but can also be overtaken through discussion with pupils and
observation of their physical and mental condition.
Note is taken of assessment results and attention is paid to
performance in class. Discussion of pupil progress takes place at every
Departmental Meeting which feeds in to SMT
meetings, and there are regular progress reports to complete.
Mental activity is as important as physical activity, and we try to
ensure our pupils are appropriately stimulated. This may involve physical
activity.
Mutual respect is demanded in the classroom and throughout the school,
and responsibility may be nurtured both through maintenance of discipline and
through the content and conduct of lessons.
See evidence for inclusion and participation. How do we know that
learners are progressing in the core skills of:
This is the business of the ML department – see above.
Numeracy skills arise fairly regularly as pupils learn to handle time,
date, timetables, describe height, read descriptions of buildings etc,
describe daily activities, arrange meetings, produce shopping dialogues, deal
with payment, make phone calls – the list goes on. Clearly, numeracy is a
requirement and will be reinforced when dealing with the above situations and
contexts.
Pupils are taught principally through the medium of ICT. They may
interact with an exercise on the SMART board, or watch a film, or research
some information on the internet, or produce homework in the form of a word
document, or help produce a DVD documentary. Pupils will frequently offer
advice to the teacher if he/she is having technical difficulty!
Pupils may work as a class with a variety of teachers, may work in
groups, small groups or in pairs. They will also come across assistants,
student teachers, auxiliaries, and pupil helpers on a regular basis.
Pupils may show resourcefulness through use of dictionaries, ICT,
teachers, and one another. They have also looked in to and helped with the
organisation of school trips, concerts, theatre productions, languages at
work days and documentary production. The following may be seen as more of a whole-school issue, though I
would say that if pupils are not satisfied with the quality of their
education, they do not generally lack the confidence and ability to express
their views clearly! To what extent can we
state that learners are:
What do these things tell
us about the impact of our provision? What does the data tell
us about under-participating and under-performing groups? |
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Some ways of Finding
out |
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