Bringing assessment for learning into the digital agenda Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 15:46

A book that helps teachers use digital cameras, MP3 players and mobile phones to carry out Assessment for Learning has been published on Thursday 13th November 2008 by NIACE. Assessment for Learning: Digital Tools for Effective Practice is the latest title in the e-guidelines series and enables teachers from all sectors to make proper use of technology to enhance the whole learning experience.

Rather than assessment being done by the tutor at the end of a course, Assessment for Learning happens throughout the course and is done in conjunction with learners. It helps learners to assess the progress in their learning, to set themselves achievable goals and to review their own performance against these goals as the course goes on.

Sally Betts, the book's co-author, said:

"This e-guideline will give teachers and tutors a good introduction to the Assessment for Learning process as well as an outline of the range of digital tools that they can use at each stage. The tools they can use include online quizzes, digital cameras, MP3 recorders, camcorders, blogs and mobile phones. This book also gives practical advice on how to collect and store all the learning evidence created by these tools in a manageable and useable way."

She continued,

"There is a growing body of evidence to show that Assessment for Learning effectively raises teaching standards. This book has been written to help tutors achieve this increase in standards by making use of the new digital technology they have at their disposal. The practical advice contained in the book is based on recent research and good practice that we have come across in the field."