Assessment is for Learning email update: September 2009
Welcome to the Assessment is for Learning (AifL) email update. This update service keeps you informed of news and additions to the website.
Contents
Support for the National System of Assessment – progress update
Recognising Achievement
New assessment case studies
International links
Glow
The Scottish Learning Festival
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Support for the National System of Assessment – progress update
Since the award of the contract in June a number of user scenarios have been evaluated by the National Assessment Resource (NAR) developer (Intrallect Ltd), and the design process is in full swing. As part of the design process, the developer has produced flow diagrams and wireframes, indicating how the service will operate. This stage of development is due for completion in early September. The National Assessment Resource User Group (NARUG), Scottish Government, Learning and Teaching Scotland and The Scottish Qualifications Authority will review the design document and meet with the developer by mid-September to agree on what will be required. The plan is to have a ‘NAR Lite’ version available by February in order to allow elements of user testing to be undertaken and evaluated, so that the NAR can go live later in 2010.
Recognising Achievement
Final reports have been gathered from the 12 learning community groups which undertook collaborative enquiries as part of the 2008-09 pilot. Preliminary findings have been identified as part of the independent evaluation, and case studies are being reviewed for website publication. Further information on Recognising Achievement is available on the Curriculum for Excellence website.
New assessment case studies
New assessment case studies are added frequently to the AifL website, highlighting interesting assessment practice and illustrating connections with Curriculum for Excellence.
International links
Staff from schools and local authorities who participated in study visits to New Zealand and to Winnipeg, Manitoba as part of the SCIPD programme shared their experiences with the assessment community and others at the assessment symposium in Stirling Management Centre on 3 September. Pauline Clarke, Chief Superintendent of Schools, Winnipeg City Division was the keynote speaker. Workshops on a number of themes emerging from the two visits were led by participants in both trips, and by Ruth Sutton, an independent consultant who has worked with staff in both in New Zealand and Canada. Find out more about SCIPD visits on the International Education website.
Glow
A ‘National Assessment Community’ Glow group has been established. Now all members of the Assessment Community can upload examples of interesting practice, initiate and contribute to discussions, and gain access to up-to-date news and documents on assessment in Scotland. Slide presentations from the SCIPD Assessment Symposium and the AANQ Assessment seminar will be posted there very soon.
To access the National Assessment Community Glow Group, log in to Glow and click on the tab ‘National Sites’. Scroll down to ‘National Site Glow Groups you are not a member of’, and click on the link. From there, send a request for membership.
Scottish Learning Festival
The programme for the Scottish Learning Festival 2009 is available online. The main theme of this year’s event is Curriculum for Excellence: Making the Change. There are a number of spotlight sessions, seminars and discussions which will be interesting from an assessment perspective.
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