• NATIONAL STEM LEARNING CENTRE

Assessment for Learning in STEM Teaching

A free online course led by Dylan Wiliam and Christine Harrison, to help STEM teachers get to grips with Assessment for Learning.

32,238 enrolled on this course

An illustration of the words science, learning, teaching and assessment
  • Duration

    6 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

Assessment for Learning (AfL) is a term that’s widely used in education, but applied in ways that are variable in their effectiveness. This free online course - designed for STEM teachers in primary and secondary schools, and sixth form and further education colleges - will help you understand and use it more effectively. This is a companion course to Differentiating for Learning in STEM Teaching.

Understand Assessment for Learning in theory and practice

Through this course, you’ll understand:

  • the theory and science behind effective Assessment for Learning;
  • how to use Assessment for Learning to elicit evidence about what’s going on in your learners’ minds;
  • how to use this evidence formatively with your learners in your laboratory and classroom;
  • how to write, judge and use the hinge questions that are central to Assessment for Learning in STEM.

Enjoy your teaching more

As the course progresses, you’ll be encouraged to try things out in your laboratory and classroom; actively reflect on what you discover in the process; and share your experience as part of the course discussions.

You’ll also be invited to read some of the scientific literature about Assessment for Learning. Your learners will gain as a result - and you’ll enjoy your teaching more.

Learn with Dylan Wiliam and Christine Harrison

This course has been developed by the National STEM Learning Centre. It gives you the opportunity to learn with two leading experts in STEM education and assessment:

  • Dylan Wiliam: Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment at the Institute of Education and author of Embedded Formative Assessment;
  • Christine Harrison: Senior Lecturer in Science Education at King’s College London, Chair of the Association for Science Education, and former secondary school teacher.

About the National STEM Learning Centre

The National STEM Learning Centre provides world-class professional development activities and resources to support the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. The Centre is a purpose-built, state of the art facility based at the University of York backed by an unrivalled team of experts in the fields of education and STEM.

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Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for English-speaking teachers of STEM subjects in primary and secondary schools, and sixth form and FE colleges. It’s also relevant to trainee teachers; teacher trainers; those thinking about a career in STEM teaching; and developers of STEM-related course materials.

It is a CPD course for people who, in the main, have a degree level qualification, or who are in the process of obtaining one.

Who will you learn with?

Reader in Science Education and Chair of ASE 2014-2015. Lead UK Researcher on Assessment for Learning. Research interests in Inquiry-learning, professional learning and CPD.

Former physics teacher & leader, now supporting educators to develop teaching. Commissioned by National STEM Learning Centre to work with Dylan Wiliam & Chris Harrison to design & support AfL courses.

Former school teacher, academic, and university administrator, now working with teachers and leaders around the world to improve educational outcomes for young people.

Who developed the course?

National STEM Learning Centre

The National STEM Learning Centre provides world-class professional development activities and resources to support the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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Get a taste of this course

Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

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