PGCE Assessment for Learning

Question 1

Who developed the concept of 'Assessment for Learning' (AfL) and in which landmark publication?

Accepted Answer

Dylan Wiliam and Paul Black in 'Inside the Black Box' (1998)

Answer

Assessment for Learning was developed and evidenced by Paul Black and Dylan Wiliam, most influentially in their 1998 pamphlet 'Inside the Black Box', which synthesised research on formative assessment.

Question 2

What are the five key strategies of formative assessment identified by Wiliam?

Accepted Answer

Clarifying learning intentions, eliciting evidence, providing feedback, activating pupils as resources, and activating pupils as owners of their learning

Answer

Wiliam's five strategies: clarifying learning intentions and success criteria; eliciting evidence of learning; providing feedback that moves learning forward; activating peers as resources; and activating pupils as owners of their own learning.

Question 3

What is 'hinge-point questioning'?

Accepted Answer

A diagnostic question placed at a key decision point in a lesson that reveals whether pupils are ready to move on or need further teaching

Answer

A hinge-point question is a carefully designed diagnostic question at a critical point in the lesson — the responses reveal the distribution of understanding and inform whether to proceed or reteach.

Question 4

What is the purpose of 'no hands up' questioning?

Accepted Answer

To ensure a wider range of pupils are asked to respond, preventing a minority from dominating and giving all pupils thinking time

Answer

'No hands up' (or cold calling with think time) ensures all pupils prepare an answer, distributes participation more equitably, and increases cognitive engagement across the class.

Question 5

What is 'exit ticket' assessment?

Accepted Answer

A brief task or question completed at the end of a lesson that allows the teacher to assess individual understanding before the next lesson

Answer

Exit tickets are quick, low-stakes end-of-lesson tasks that give the teacher data on each pupil's understanding, informing planning for the next lesson.

PGCE Practice Test

PGCE Practice Test

PGCE Assessment for Learning