tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post6739957883902355253..comments2024-03-28T00:28:06.035+13:00Comments on leading and learning: National's 'populist' StandardsBruce Hammondshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-42093700876698048742009-08-24T00:26:30.659+12:002009-08-24T00:26:30.659+12:00Hi Bruce,
As usual, a very thought provoking post...Hi Bruce,<br /><br />As usual, a very thought provoking post - keep it up! I completely agree with your emphasis on the need for authentic assessment of meaningful learning while recognising the difficultly of achieving this against a background culture (especially here in Ireland) that is so wedded to traditional testing. I'm working on something that we hope to embed in a revised senior cycle science syllabus that will be tested in schools in the coming year, but there are many obstacles, especially in terms of reliability and validity (as perceived by assessment gatekeepers).<br /><br />In any case, as I was reading I was struck by how much of John Hattie's work actually supports your arguments and indeed that he provides support for the use of creative teaching approaches like cooperative learning that actually improve attainment on standard summative exams while at the same time promoting much broader learning. I then read your reference to Hattie's findings but I thought you had firmly rejected most his work in a previous posting? I'm not trying to argue Hattie's case but as I mentioned in a previous reply I do think that his findings can provide leverage for the changes you (I think I can say "we") envisage.<br /><br />Enjoying your posts,<br /><br />JohnJohn O'Reillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03590658177537530991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-86450988544731883012009-07-25T11:24:46.878+12:002009-07-25T11:24:46.878+12:00Unfortunately the voices against the imposition of...Unfortunately the voices against the imposition of such simplistic and potentially distorting standards have been ignored. The challenge for schools now is not to lose sight of the liberating spirit of the new curriculum while at the same time by not letting implementing the standards distract them. What is the betting that within a few years the Ministry will provide the tests for schools to take.That will be 'game over' for creative education until a new government is elected. This is all about conservative politics.<br /><br />In the UK they are moving away from their attempt to measure schools ( using a narrow range of curriculum targets ) against one another. Little has been gained and too much is being lost.Bruce Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07031065790535111400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8438349.post-69276505142375740862009-07-22T12:48:00.585+12:002009-07-22T12:48:00.585+12:00Excellent blog - great reading for all staff mem...Excellent blog - great reading for all staff members.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com