Triangulation in the classroom

Summary

This transcript explores the concept of triangulation in assessing student learning, emphasizing the use of three sources of evidence: observation, conversation, and product. By combining these methods, educators gain a fuller, more accurate picture of a student's progress over time. The approach promotes fairness and transparency, ensuring assessments cater to diverse learning styles. The process is ongoing rather than overwhelming, and collaboration between teachers and students is key. Using the metaphor of the blind men and the elephant, the video highlights how multiple forms of assessment provide a more complete understanding of student learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Triangulation in assessment involves gathering evidence of student learning from three sources: observation, conversation, and product.
• 😀 Fairness is at the core of triangulation, ensuring that students are assessed in ways that reflect their individual learning strengths and needs.
• 😀 Conversations with students are an essential part of triangulation, and it’s important to record these interactions to assess their learning effectively.
• 😀 Assessment can be done through checklists, video recordings, or anecdotal notes to capture student performance during conversations or observations.
• 😀 Triangulation over time provides a more complete and fair picture of student learning, as opposed to relying on a single method of assessment like quizzes.
• 😀 Transparency in the assessment process, including clear communication of criteria and methods, is vital for both students and teachers.
• 😀 Students should be informed that their work is being recorded or assessed, and may even help in creating the assessment criteria.
• 😀 Observations should be ongoing, where teachers document student progress during tasks or projects, providing a clearer view of learning over time.
• 😀 The ‘elephant parable’ emphasizes how assessing only one aspect of student learning can lead to an incomplete picture, advocating for a more holistic approach.
• 😀 By combining different types of assessments (quizzes, conversations, projects), teachers gain a better understanding of students’ overall learning.
• 😀 Assessment is a collaborative process, where both teachers and students play an active role in creating and understanding assessment criteria.
• 😀 A well-structured, ongoing assessment process allows teachers to adjust their teaching methods based on the evidence gathered from various assessment sources.

Q & A

What is triangulation in the context of student assessment?

Triangulation refers to gathering evidence of student learning from three different sources: observation, conversation, and product. This allows for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of student progress over time.

Why is it important to gather evidence from multiple sources when assessing students?

Gathering evidence from multiple sources ensures that the assessment is holistic and accurate. By comparing observations, conversations, and products, educators can get a more complete picture of student learning, avoiding bias or incomplete assessments.

What is the role of conversation in triangulation?

Conversation plays a key role in triangulation as it allows teachers to assess student understanding through verbal interactions. Teachers can record conversations, such as interviews or peer discussions, and analyze them to evaluate communication skills, comprehension, and application of knowledge.

How can teachers record conversations for assessment purposes?

Teachers can record conversations in various ways, such as using video recordings for interviews or checklists to observe key aspects like body language, sentence structure, and engagement. Anecdotal notes can also be made during or after conversations to track students' progress.

What is meant by 'product' in triangulation?

In triangulation, 'product' refers to tangible evidence of student learning, such as quizzes, projects, or other assignments that showcase the student's knowledge and skills. This allows teachers to assess what students can create or demonstrate as a result of their learning.

Why is it not considered fair to assess homework as part of triangulation?

It is considered unfair to assess homework as part of triangulation because teachers are not present to observe the student while they complete the task. Homework is one piece of the puzzle, and without direct observation, it does not provide a full, accurate assessment of a student's learning.

How does triangulation contribute to fairness in student assessment?

Triangulation promotes fairness by offering students multiple ways to demonstrate their learning. Through different types of assessments (observations, conversations, and products), students have the opportunity to be evaluated on their strengths, ensuring a fairer and more inclusive evaluation process.

What does 'transparency' mean in the context of triangulation?

Transparency in triangulation means that teachers clearly communicate the assessment methods and criteria to students. For example, teachers should inform students when they are being assessed, how they are being assessed, and what tools (such as checklists or rubrics) will be used.

How does triangulation help teachers adjust their teaching strategies?

Triangulation helps teachers adjust their teaching strategies by providing a well-rounded picture of each student's progress. By comparing evidence from different assessment types, teachers can identify areas where students may need additional support or challenges and adapt their teaching accordingly.

What is the significance of the parable of the elephant in the context of triangulation?

The parable of the elephant illustrates how looking at only one aspect of a situation can lead to a limited or incomplete understanding. Similarly, by using multiple methods of assessment (observations, conversations, products), triangulation allows teachers to gather a fuller, more accurate view of student learning, akin to seeing the 'whole elephant'.