Formative Assessment and Feedback: Teaching and Learning more effectively

This one-day training workshop builds on NIACE training first developed in 2010.  Participants who attended previous training events have said:

“This is an important step towards encouraging us to think about exactly what assessment is all about and what it is meant to achieve”
Keith Brock, Curriculum Co-ordinator, Barnsley Adult Learning

“Clear idea about formative assessment. I feel confident about what I got from the training today”
Stavroula Alachiotis, Learning Support Manager, Metropole Learning

"It will influence my practice"
Steven Blakemore, ESOL Teacher, South Birmingham College

“To focus on enjoying the creative side of teaching and not get depressingly bogged down in formal assessment”
Lynne Kitching, Lecturer, Kensington/Chelsea College

“I would recommend the training to the whole of my team as it is relevant to effective assessment”
Colak Ljiljana, Programme Manager ESOL, Adult Learning and Skills Service

"Very useful to all tutors, as ever, NIACE do good courses"
Kate Hurley, Skills for Life Tutor, Sheffield City Council

[Training Context] [Who would benefit from attending] [Training Aims] [Training Objectives] [Programme Outline] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Training context

Findings from recent research clearly demonstrate that formative assessment approaches are strongly linked to successful and sustainable learning, particularly so for less confident learners and those with unsuccessful or negative previous experiences of learning. The present policy context for adult learning focuses on easily measurable and short term outcomes, often making it harder for teachers and providers to focus on the actual needs of learners and leading to what is known as 'teaching to the test'. The term 'formative assessment' is appearing more and more in policy initiatives, but often teachers and providers are unclear about its meaning and how best to put formative assessment approaches into practice.

This training takes as its starting point a definition of formative assessment not as specific stage within a cycle of assessment, but as a complex and continuous process of activity, reflection, communication and evaluation taking place between teacher and learners and between learners themselves. The outcomes of such a process then lead to the adaptation and refinement of learning activities with the aim of continuously improving learning - the development of learner autonomy is central to the process.

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Who would benefit from attending

• Teachers of adults in all post-16 settings including: colleges, adult and community learning, work based training providers, offender learning, voluntary sector;
• Teaching assistants, placement supervisors, learning mentors and others who support learning; and,
• Curriculum managers, teacher trainers, advanced practitioners and training officers.

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Training Aims

• To present recent research on the most effective approaches to teaching and learning
• To look critically at our practice in the light of this research
• To explore how the cultures of different organisations and subjects impact on learning
• To plan how to put formative assessment approaches into practice

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Training Objectives

By the end of the event, participants will have:

• Heard about and understood the relevance of recent research on formative assessment
• Reflected on current practice
• Explored formative uses of feedback, questioning and self and peer assessment.
• Shared ideas, problems and experiences
• Planned some specific activities to put into practice in their own teaching
• Reflected on the implications of these approaches for their own future CPD

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Programme Outline

The workshop will include input, discussion and collaborative tasks.  Specific activities will vary depending on the participants in each group. 

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Event Information

Arrival and registration is at 9:45am for a 10:00am start. The event will end at 4:00pm

Event fee per person: £155 (Non NIACE members rate)
Event fee per person: £125 (NIACE members rate)
(includes sandwich lunch, tea/coffee)

NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference or course fees.

Only online application forms with the payments section completed will be processed.

NB: If you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order before the form is processed.

Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed applications (one online application per person)

Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there may not be handouts for all sessions

If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk

Application Conditions

Event: Tuesday 27 March 2012
Closing Date: Thursday 8 March 2012

The full fee is payable prior to the event

Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event

Cancellations are non-refundable

A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille

Places are to be reserved online - scroll up and click on Apply Now

Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted