Rebooting Assessment; A Practical Guide for Balancing Conversations, Performances, and Products

Assessment is overdue for a technology-supported reboot, and this practical guide will help you do just that. Within its pages, you'll discover a balanced approach to assessment for learning that includes conversations and performance-based observations as key components. Real-world case studies and differentiated implementation options are available throughout the book to help you identify your current level of knowledge, gain confidence, and hone your skills.

Use this book to guide your journey to effective performance-based assessment:

• Understand how balanced classroom assessment leads to deeper student engagement, greater equity, and increased reliability.
• Discover the role of formative and summative assessments and how to use triangulation to assess student learning outcomes.
• Watch video clips that feature real-life teachers and students implementing balanced assessment in the classroom.
• Learn how to develop positive relationships with students and create a learning environment characterized by trust and collaboration.
• Understand how to use technology and digital evidence to support assessment, including student self-assessment and peer assessment.
• Rely on the teacher-readiness scale to help you identify your comfort level with the types of assessment and approaches within the book.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Why Is Balanced Assessment Important?
Chapter 2: How Do I Plan Balanced Assessments?
Chapter 3: How Do I Assess Learning Through Conversations and Observations?
Chapter 4: How Can I Use Technology to Support Assessment?
Chapter 5: How Do I Use a VOCAL Approach to Improve Learning?
Chapter 6: How Should I Communicate About Learning in the Digital Age?
Epilogue
Appendix
References and Resources
Index

Damian Cooper is an independent educational advisor who specializes in helping schools and school districts across North America and internationally to improve their instructional and assessment skills. In his varied career, Damian has been a secondary English, special education, and drama teacher; a department head; and a librarian. He has specialized in student assessment for more than 30 years. Damian served as assessment coach to the School Division of Nelson Education. Prior to that, he was coordinator of assessment and evaluation for the Halton District School Board in Burlington, Ontario. Damian is a cofounder and past president of the Canadian Assessment for Learning Network (CAfLN). Damian's international reputation rests on his wide-ranging experience as an educator, his deep understanding of assessment, and his no-nonsense, common-sense approach to what works in schools. Damian's publications 'Talk About Assessment: Strategies and Tools to Improve Learning' (2007), 'Talk About Assessment: High School Strategies and Tools' (2010), and 'Redefining Fair: How to Plan, Assess, and Grade for Excellence in Mixed-Ability Classrooms' (2011) are all bestsellers.