The research reported in this article explored the methods by which concept maps served as formative assessment by capturing changes in the ways preservice mathematics teachers represented their understanding of algebra. The participants were enrolled in a course on high school algebra for teachers and created the maps on the first and last day of…

This article examines the abandonment of talk-based assessment in favour of written exams, even when writing results in less valid assessment. It points to substantial experience of assessment through talk in English and media studies and points to its potential use in other subjects. It is followed by an example, originally designed by the…

The report is a resource which provides a framework for school leaders and department heads to plan a coherent whole school approach to assessment that will support the learning of each and every student. The resource is also about focusing on the needs of students, the ways in which assessment can best support good pedagogy and practice and…

Stopping rules for fixed-form tests with graduated item difficulty are intended to stop administration of a test at the point where students are sufficiently unlikely to provide a correct response following a pattern of incorrect responses. Although widely employed in fixed-form tests in education, little research has been done to empirically…

For classroom norms to be effective, beginning with a coconstructed, inclusive, and equitable process (Kastberg and Frye 2013) can be helpful. This involves engaging all students in meaningful discussions about the norms and continually reinforcing these understandings throughout the year. However, early in the year, not all students are willing…

Performance of engineering degree students often becomes an important concern for lectures. Using classical teaching methodologies in practical lectures may be behind the problem. The present work develops a couple of innovative student-response-system based methodologies designed to be implemented during engineering practical lessons in higher…

A physics laboratory instructor used action research to effectively implement a 5E instructional approach, which incorporated scientific practices. The instructor explored how to integrate the instructional approach into practice, challenges present in the implementation, and students' learning experiences. The data were collected during three…

Teacher professional development (TPD) courses can support teachers in building up pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and in improving the quality of teaching. Therefore, having teachers participate in TPD is of special interest for educational policy. Unfortunately, knowledge about the relation between teachers' PCK and teachers' attendance in…

Students face challenging texts and concepts across the disciplines in higher education, and many students lack the reading skills and strategies to make sense of them. The aim of the small study described in this article was to explore the benefits, if any, of the difficulty paper, a written formative assessment that asks students to explore…

This article explores the student experience of simulated learning in post-compulsory radiography education. The content is based on the varied experiences of students using both laboratory-based simulation exercises and a virtual reality computer simulation activity by situating these views within a wider understanding of the students' journey…

Online formative assessment is still challenging although it is getting an increased attention as a significant tool for diagnosing and analysing students' motivation and achievement in various education domains. This research examines the effects of an online formative assessment tool (OFAT) about science motivation and achievement in second-year…

Background: Inquiry pedagogy has been advocated as means to engage and motivate students to learn science. The development of teacher formative assessment practice in inquiry is key for a successful implementation of student-centred inquiry pedagogy in the classroom. Purpose: This study explores secondary science teachers' espoused beliefs about…

Anatomical knowledge is commonly assessed by practical examinations that are often administered in summative format. The format of anatomy practical examination was changed at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Singapore from summative (graded; must pass) to formative (ungraded; no pass/fail) in academic year (AY) 2017-2018. Both assessment…

Teachers and students' interactions in the classroom include a large number of questions, some of which are a key part of formative assessment. Questions can lead to an extended dialogue between the teacher and the student, potentially facilitating a better understanding of the students' conceptions and providing teachers with information to guide…

My personal experience as a teacher in Japan has raised questions about the usefulness of both summative and formative assessment, the possible benefits of non-traditional approaches to classroom instruction, and the influence of assessment measures in the success of Japanese students. For instance, the use of collaborative, inquiry, task or…