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Full-Text Articles in Education

Reporting Student Learning, Hilary Hollingsworth, Jonathan Heard Dec 2019

Reporting Student Learning, Hilary Hollingsworth, Jonathan Heard

NSW Curriculum Review

This paper is one of six research ‘backgrounders’ to support the 2018–20 review of the New South Wales (NSW) curriculum. It focuses on reporting student learning, which has been identified as an area of interest in the review. This paper seeks to present an evidence base, based on a rapid review of relevant research literature, to inform considerations related to student reporting practice reform.


Communicating Student Learning Progress: A Review Of Student Reporting In Australia, Hilary Hollingsworth, Jonathan Heard, Paul R. Weldon Nov 2019

Communicating Student Learning Progress: A Review Of Student Reporting In Australia, Hilary Hollingsworth, Jonathan Heard, Paul R. Weldon

Assessment and Reporting

The Communicating Student Learning Progress project was initiated to investigate questions relating to the effectiveness of current methods of communicating student progress, the extent to which they are valued by stakeholders, whether they are considered to provide quality information about student learning, and whether there are alternative designs for these activities that might be more effective. The project took place over a three-year period from July 2016 to June 2019.


Communicating Student Learning Progress: A Review Of Student Reporting In Australia. Findings In Brief, Hilary Hollingsworth, Jonathan Heard, Paul R. Weldon Nov 2019

Communicating Student Learning Progress: A Review Of Student Reporting In Australia. Findings In Brief, Hilary Hollingsworth, Jonathan Heard, Paul R. Weldon

Assessment and Reporting

The Communicating Student Learning Progress project was initiated to investigate questions relating to the effectiveness of current methods of communicating student progress, the extent to which they are valued by stakeholders, whether they are considered to provide quality information about student learning, and whether there are alternative designs for these activities that might be more effective. The project took place over a three-year period from July 2016 to June 2019.


Preparing For Life In A Digital World: The Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 International Report, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Tim Friedman, Daniel Duckworth Nov 2019

Preparing For Life In A Digital World: The Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 International Report, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Tim Friedman, Daniel Duckworth

ICT - Digital Literacy

The second cycle of ICILS in 2018 (ICILS 2018) continued to investigate students’ computer and information literacy (CIL) and also investigated students’ computational thinking (CT). This dimension involves conceptualising problems (through algorithmic or systems thinking) and operationalising solutions (creating, implementing, and evaluating computer-based responses to problems). The inclusion of CT as an option in ICILS 2018 reflects recent interest by educators, researchers, and policymakers in the value of CT in schooling. ICILS 2018 studied how these components of digital competence related to each other and to the school and out-of-school contexts that support learning with and about computer technology. This …


Learning Practice Guide, Jen Jackson, Kate Noble, Jeanne Marie Iorio, Dan Cloney, Pru Mitchell Oct 2019

Learning Practice Guide, Jen Jackson, Kate Noble, Jeanne Marie Iorio, Dan Cloney, Pru Mitchell

Early Childhood Education

The first section of this Learning Practice Guide reminds early childhood professionals of the theory and pedagogy that underpins day-to-day practice, and helps them find ways to recognise children’s confidence and involvement in learning as a key component of their professional practice. The second section describes eight scenarios to prompt professional reflection, and illustrate ways in which early childhood professionals can improve their practice in relation to the VEYLDF Learning and Development Outcome: Children are confident and involved learners.


The Role Of Learning Progressions In Global Scales, Ray Adams Sep 2019

The Role Of Learning Progressions In Global Scales, Ray Adams

Professor Ray Adams

Learning progressions are valuable tools for the international assessment community. Ray Adams reports.


Latest From Acer International Offices Aug 2019

Latest From Acer International Offices

International Developments

ACER works through its international offices to deliver a diverse range of results-oriented projects. They are often implemented in partnership with global and local development partners with the goal to advance education outcomes and improve learning.


A Knowledge Portal On Learning Assessments For South Asia, Sanjay Tripathi Aug 2019

A Knowledge Portal On Learning Assessments For South Asia, Sanjay Tripathi

International Developments

ACER in collaboration with Community Systems Foundation is building a knowledge portal on learning assessments for South Asia. Sanjay Tripathi reports.


The Role Of Learning Progressions In Global Scales, Ray Adams Aug 2019

The Role Of Learning Progressions In Global Scales, Ray Adams

International Developments

Learning progressions are valuable tools for the international assessment community. Ray Adams reports.


Improving Learning For All, Geoff N. Masters Aug 2019

Improving Learning For All, Geoff N. Masters

International Developments

Improving learning has become a global priority thanks to the United Nations and its Sustainable Development Goal 4. Challenges may vary according to country context but the aim is universal: to provide the best education possible within each local system. Geoff Masters explains.


International Developments (No.9) 2019 Aug 2019

International Developments (No.9) 2019

International Developments

In this issue of International Developments, we summarise the research evidence gathered through the work of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the impact our projects make around the globe.


How Teachers Engage With Student Assessment Data: Understanding Antecedents To Data-Driven Decision Making, Cynthia P. Raffe, Dennis Alonzo, University Of New South Wales Aug 2019

How Teachers Engage With Student Assessment Data: Understanding Antecedents To Data-Driven Decision Making, Cynthia P. Raffe, Dennis Alonzo, University Of New South Wales

2009 - 2019 ACER Research Conferences

In recent years, education systems internationally have been encouraging data-use initiatives with the aim of improving student learning through data-driven decision making (DDDM). The use of student assessment data in particular has been promoted to guide teaching practices and progress student learning. Despite this, the adoption of data-use practices by New South Wales classroom teachers has been slow. The study qualitatively examined two core foundational activities that affect New South Wales classroom teachers’ use of student assessment data, referred to as assessment data collection (ADC) practices, and assessment data analysis (ADA) practices. Specifically, the study sought to answer: What are …


Assessing Computational Thinking, Daniel Duckworth Aug 2019

Assessing Computational Thinking, Daniel Duckworth

2009 - 2019 ACER Research Conferences

This paper provides some context for the role of computation thinking (CT) in the Australian Curriculum, an abridged literature review of CT as a problem-solving framework from the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 assessment framework and some examples of how CT has been used to solve real-world problems. Finally, this paper presents ways to teach and assess CT.


Teaching And Assessing The General Capabilities In A Secondary School Context, Loren Clarke, Melissa Hughes Aug 2019

Teaching And Assessing The General Capabilities In A Secondary School Context, Loren Clarke, Melissa Hughes

2009 - 2019 ACER Research Conferences

Education researchers, policymakers and private enterprise agree that, in addition to content knowledge, students in the 21st century need to acquire particular skills to equip them for active citizenship in the modern world. This is a real challenge for teachers today: how do they teach and assess the skills needed to live and work in the 21st century? This paper will explore the development of Eltham High School’s focus on teaching and assessment of collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking over the past seven years. It will explore the development of the assessment program, its connection to the school and state …


Assessing Computational Thinking, Daniel Duckworth Aug 2019

Assessing Computational Thinking, Daniel Duckworth

Daniel Duckworth

This paper provides some context for the role of computation thinking (CT) in the Australian Curriculum, an abridged literature review of CT as a problem-solving framework from the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 assessment framework and some examples of how CT has been used to solve real-world problems. Finally, this paper presents ways to teach and assess CT.


International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018: Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman May 2019

International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018: Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman

Daniel Duckworth

The primary purpose of International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 is to assess systematically the capacities of students to use ICT productively for a range of different purposes, in ways that go beyond a basic use of ICT. ICILS 2018 includes authentic computer-based assessments that are administered to students in their eighth year of schooling. These generate data reflecting two dimensions of ICT-related capacities: computer and information literacy (CIL) and computational thinking (CT). ICILS 2018 investigates variations in CIL and CT between and within countries and the relationships between those constructs and student attributes (background characteristics and developed …


International Computer Andinformation Literacy Study 2018: Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman May 2019

International Computer Andinformation Literacy Study 2018: Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman

Dr Tim Friedman

The primary purpose of International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 is to assess systematically the capacities of students to use ICT productively for a range of different purposes, in ways that go beyond a basic use of ICT. ICILS 2018 includes authentic computer-based assessments that are administered to students in their eighth year of schooling. These generate data reflecting two dimensions of ICT-related capacities: computer and information literacy (CIL) and computational thinking (CT). ICILS 2018 investigates variations in CIL and CT between and within countries and the relationships between those constructs and student attributes (background characteristics and developed …


Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman May 2019

Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman

Dr Wolfram Schulz

The primary purpose of International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 is to assess systematically the capacities of students to use ICT productively for a range of different purposes, in ways that go beyond a basic use of ICT. ICILS 2018 includes authentic computer-based assessments that are administered to students in their eighth year of schooling. These generate data reflecting two dimensions of ICT-related capacities: computer and information literacy (CIL) and computational thinking (CT). ICILS 2018 investigates variations in CIL and CT between and within countries and the relationships between those constructs and student attributes (background characteristics and developed …


Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman May 2019

Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman

Julian Fraillon

The primary purpose of International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 is to assess systematically the capacities of students to use ICT productively for a range of different purposes, in ways that go beyond a basic use of ICT. ICILS 2018 includes authentic computer-based assessments that are administered to students in their eighth year of schooling. These generate data reflecting two dimensions of ICT-related capacities: computer and information literacy (CIL) and computational thinking (CT). ICILS 2018 investigates variations in CIL and CT between and within countries and the relationships between those constructs and student attributes (background characteristics and developed …


Assessment Of Children As Confident And Involved Learners In Early Childhood Education And Care: Literature Review, Dan Cloney, Jen Jackson, Pru Mitchell May 2019

Assessment Of Children As Confident And Involved Learners In Early Childhood Education And Care: Literature Review, Dan Cloney, Jen Jackson, Pru Mitchell

Early Childhood Education

This literature review is one of a series of reviews to support Victorian early childhood professionals to assess children’s learning and development in relation to the five Learning and Development Outcomes in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). This literature review documents the research that underpins and defines learning for children from birth to eight years, and outlines children’s trajectory as confident and involved learners. The resource aims to equip early childhood professionals with the knowledge to identify and assess children’s progress towards the VEYLDF Outcome: 'Children are confident and involved learners'.


Review Of The Piaac Numeracy Assessment Framework: Final Report, Dave Tout, Diana Coben, Vince Geiger, Lynda Ginsburg, Kees Hoogland, Terry Maguire, Sue Thomson, Ross Turner Apr 2019

Review Of The Piaac Numeracy Assessment Framework: Final Report, Dave Tout, Diana Coben, Vince Geiger, Lynda Ginsburg, Kees Hoogland, Terry Maguire, Sue Thomson, Ross Turner

Ross Turner

The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) is an international assessment of the proficiency of adults (aged 16-65 years) in key information processing skills (reading, numeracy and Problem Solving in Technology-Rich Environments). The PIAAC Survey of Adult Skills has revealed that a considerable number of adults in OECD countries possess only limited literacy and numeracy skills. The OECD is currently reviewing the content of the frameworks and cognitive assessment instruments for the 2nd cycle of PIAAC ready for delivery in 2021-22. This report is the result of a review of the numeracy construct and assessment in PIAAC. …


Designing Rubrics For Authentic Assessment, Kathryn Richardson, Anne-Marie Chase Feb 2019

Designing Rubrics For Authentic Assessment, Kathryn Richardson, Anne-Marie Chase

Dr Anne-Marie Chase

This presentation looks at the steps in developing authentic rubrics, from determining the constructs that will be assessed; breaking down the constructs into a set of broad capabilities that need to be observed; transferring capabilities into indicative behaviours (indicators or criteria); and determining the different levels of proficiency.


Student Perspectives On The Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique, Lauren E. Milton, Laura E. Landon Jan 2019

Student Perspectives On The Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique, Lauren E. Milton, Laura E. Landon

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

A retrospective qualitative study was conducted to explore first-year occupational therapy graduate student perspectives on the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF-AT) which was implemented during a two-semester neuroscience course. The IF-AT system was used during small group application activities six times across a two-semester course sequence. Students discussed multiple-choice questions in small groups, used critical thinking skills and collaboration to select answers, then finally used the IF-AT scratch-off cards to indicate selections. At the conclusion of the second semester, 33 students provided qualitative feedback regarding their experience using the IF-AT. Conventional content analysis was used to capture the student voice …


Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman Jan 2019

Iea International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2018 Assessment Framework, Julian Fraillon, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Daniel Duckworth, Tim Friedman

ICT - Digital Literacy

The primary purpose of International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 is to assess systematically the capacities of students to use ICT productively for a range of different purposes, in ways that go beyond a basic use of ICT. ICILS 2018 includes authentic computer-based assessments that are administered to students in their eighth year of schooling. These generate data reflecting two dimensions of ICT-related capacities: computer and information literacy (CIL) and computational thinking (CT). ICILS 2018 investigates variations in CIL and CT between and within countries and the relationships between those constructs and student attributes (background characteristics and developed …


Equitable Learning Assessments For Students With Disabilities (Neqmap Thematic Review), Anannya Chakraborty, Amit Kaushik, Unesco Office Bangkok And Regional Bureau For Education In Asia And The Pacific Jan 2019

Equitable Learning Assessments For Students With Disabilities (Neqmap Thematic Review), Anannya Chakraborty, Amit Kaushik, Unesco Office Bangkok And Regional Bureau For Education In Asia And The Pacific

Assessment and Reporting

Asia-Pacific is home to 690 million persons with a disability. Persons with disabilities experience lower educational opportunities as children and therefore also face fewer opportunities as adults. Children with disabilities experience barriers to participating in education that result in enrolment rate drops of up to 53 per cent between primary and secondary education, making it increasingly difficult for persons with disabilities to secure employment. Low participation rates and other barriers have a serious impact on the learning achievement and learning outcomes of learners with disabilities. This thematic review provides an overview of the existing inclusive education policies and practices in …