SMEC 2014 | Michael O'Leary
Introducing the assessment for learning audit instrument: A tool developed to guide school based professional development
This presentation begins by connecting the extant literature on formative assessment with developments in the design of assessment tools to measure teaching and learning practices that promote the development of 21st century skills including, for example, adaptive expertise, self-regulation and inquiry-based learning. The presentation then traces the design, development and trialling of the assessment for learning audit instrument (AfLAi), with specific reference to its use in gauging teachers’ baseline understanding of assessment for learning (AfL) practices and the extent to which AfL is embedded in their classrooms. Following a review of the instrument’s psychometric properties, data are presented that give a snapshot of the AfL practices of over 500 teachers across 40+ in Irish schools, primary and secondary. An overview is also provided of how data from individual schools have been used to inform and guide school-based professional development on assessment over time. The presentation concludes with references to the use of AfLAi internationally, to how it is being adapted for use in educational settings beyond primary and secondary schools, and to the work underway in developing complementary tools for use by students and teachers at various levels of the education system. slides
Biography
Michael O'Leary is a Principal Lecturer in the Education Department at St. Patrick's College and is Director of Postgraduate Studies in Education. He holds a PhD in Educational Research and Measurement from Boston College. He has acted as Ireland's representative on the OECD's Network A (student outcomes) and was a member of the Board of Participating Countries for PISA and the Education Panel of the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland. He has provided statistical analysis of data in national studies of reading and mathematics achievement and has worked on projects pertaining to the introduction of calculators at Junior Cycle, teaching for social justice, and professional development in physical education.
His recent work has involved collaborations with research colleagues at various institutions in Ireland, the US, Norway, New Zealand and South Africa. His main area of interest is on assessment at the classroom, national and international levels. He was a member of the NCCA working group that developed the guidelines on assessment for primary schools and with colleagues at St Patrick's College has just had a new assessment for science in primary schools published – the Irish Primary Science Achievement Tests (IPSA-T).
His most recent publications have been focused on measurement instruments designed to evaluate teachers' classroom assessment practices. Michael has had research articles published in Ireland, Britain and the US.
Zita Lysaght is a lecturer in Assessment and Research Methodology, St. Patrick's College.