This course is part of the Assessment for Learning: Formative Assessment in Science and Maths Teaching ExpertTrack
Introducing Assessment for Learning
Develop your responsiveness as a teacher: learn how to assess student understanding and tailor lessons to improve learning.

- Duration3 weeks
- Weekly study3 hours
- Included in an ExpertTrackCourse 1 of 3
Introducing Assessment for Learning
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Guided by leading experts in assessment for learning, on this course you’ll discover how to gauge your learners’ understanding, so that you can better progress their learning.
You’ll discover how you can create a classroom culture that allows difficult ideas to surface, revealing student misconceptions and allowing you to tailor your teaching to your students. You will learn the key principles of assessment for learning, before exploring two approaches in more detail.
What topics will you cover?
- Key principles of assessment for learning
- Intentional dialogue as a form of evidence of students’ understanding
- Hinge-point questions to respond to students’ learning
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What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify the main principles of assessment for learning
- Reflect on the role of intentional dialogue in supporting teaching in a formative way
- Develop your use of hinge-point questions to elicit evidence from students
- Collaborate with peers, educators and mentors to try out activities and share thinking, in order to develop your teaching practice
Who is the course for?
This course would suit teachers, curriculum leaders, teaching assistants, newly qualified teachers, trainee teachers and others involved in the education of young people.
Who will you learn with?
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.
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 school teacher, academic, and university administrator, now working with teachers and leaders around the world to improve educational outcomes for young people.
Learning on FutureLearn
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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
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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
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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