Data Driven Design: Formative Assessment

Summary

In this video, Dr. Catlyn Tucker explores the Data-Driven Design Cycle in teaching. She emphasizes the importance of using pre-assessment data to guide lesson planning, ensuring that lessons cater to individual learner needs by incorporating Universal Design for Learning principles and blended learning models. Dr. Tucker highlights the role of formative assessment in tracking student progress, recommending various methods such as quizzes, digital games, video explanations, and simple exit tickets to understand student comprehension. The goal is to adapt lessons based on data to better support students and ensure they progress toward specific learning objectives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Data-Driven Design Cycle begins with pre-assessment to understand where students are starting in their learning journey, helping to design lessons that cater to individual needs.
• 😀 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles should be applied to lesson planning, making learning accessible, inclusive, and equitable for all students.
• 😀 Blended learning models like the playlist and station rotation models are effective in allowing students to have more control over their learning pace and path.
• 😀 Pre-assessment data helps identify the different starting points of students, indicating the need for differentiated instruction and various levels of support.
• 😀 Formative assessments, such as informal checks for understanding, should be embedded throughout lessons to monitor progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
• 😀 Formative assessments are not graded but serve as tools for teachers to make adjustments to their teaching based on student needs.
• 😀 Making formative assessments available to students can help them reflect on their progress and understand their learning growth.
• 😀 Teachers can use various strategies for formative assessment, such as quizzes, digital games (e.g., Kahoot, Socrative), and video-based assessments.
• 😀 A 'tell me how' format, where students explain processes step by step, is a great way to assess their understanding, especially for complex concepts.
• 😀 Encouraging students to explain concepts in simple terms, as if teaching a 5-year-old, can help assess their depth of understanding and ability to simplify their thinking.
• 😀 Visual formative assessments, like posting pictures of offline work, provide teachers with a clear view of student progress and help identify areas of strength or misconceptions.

Q & A

What is the focus of the data-driven design cycle discussed in the video?

The focus is on using pre-assessment data to inform lesson design, ensuring that lessons are personalized and responsive to the diverse learning needs of students.

How does pre-assessment data impact lesson design?

Pre-assessment data helps educators understand where students are starting in their learning journey, allowing them to design lessons that meet individual learning needs and provide appropriate support.

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how is it used in the design process?

UDL is an approach that aims to make learning accessible, inclusive, and equitable by providing flexible pathways and removing barriers to learning. It is used in lesson design to ensure all students can engage and succeed.

What are blended learning models, and how are they integrated into the design process?

Blended learning models, such as the playlist and station rotation models, combine online and in-person learning. They are integrated into lesson design to give students more control over the pace and path of their learning.

Why is it important to embed formative assessment into lessons?

Formative assessments provide real-time data on student understanding, allowing educators to adjust instruction as needed to better meet students' needs and ensure progress toward learning goals.

How should formative assessments be used in the classroom?

Formative assessments should be informal, ongoing, and embedded into the lessons. They are not graded but are used to gauge student progress and inform instructional adjustments.

Can students access formative assessments to reflect on their progress?

Yes, when possible, formative assessments should be made available to students so they can reflect on their learning, identify strengths, and work on areas of improvement.

What are some examples of formative assessment strategies mentioned in the video?

Examples include non-graded quizzes, digital games like Kahoot or Socrative, video recordings where students explain concepts, and visual submissions like pictures or exit tickets.

How can video recordings be used as a formative assessment strategy?

Video recordings allow students to explain their thinking and walk through a process or concept, providing teachers with insight into student understanding beyond just correct answers.

What role do exit tickets play in the formative assessment process?

Exit tickets are a quick way to gauge student understanding at the end of a lesson. They provide valuable feedback on what students have learned and areas that may need further attention in future lessons.