The first in a series of meetings with education system staff is behind us! The event, held on September 19 in Lublin and organised by the project “Supporting the accessibility of education for children and youth”, was an opportunity to exchange experiences and take a closer look at the issue of assessment in primary schools.
More than 700 people (primary school directors or deputy directors, school superintendents, teachers and experts) met at the Meeting of Cultures Centre to listen to presentations by experts, exchange experiences and perspectives on the issue of grading, and take part in discussions with panellists. We would like to thank everyone who met with us in Lublin to discuss this important topic.
The event was opened by Dr. Tomasz Gajderowicz, Deputy Director of the Educational Research Institute, and Tomasz Szabłowski, Superintendent of Education for the Lubelskie Voivodeship.
In his presentation “How to assess to effectively teach and motivate?”, Dr. Tomasz Gajderowicz presented an international research perspective on the issue of student assessment. In his talk, he addressed, for example, the topic of how to create situations in which learning leads to motivation, and stressed that assessment itself is not necessarily a bad thing, but should be done in the right way.
The most effective teaching methods are related to assessment. Respect and building a relationship with the learner overcome the negative feelings associated with grading. Discussing correct answers is important.
Dr. Gajderowicz discussed and encouraged the use of the downloadable handbooks for teachers “How to support pupils in self-directed learning”, emphasising that: “A good teacher is one who has autonomy and chooses his/her own teaching methods, but also has a range of tools to use. (...) The undeniable competence of the future is the ability to become a lifelong learner.”
More about the handbooks
Next, Dr. Tomasz Knopik, substantive manager of the project “Supporting the accessibility of education for children and youth”, presented the topic “Assessment from the perspective of educational psychology”. He stressed, among other things, that: “Grading for grades often stops the learning process at a superficial level, deep learning does not occur”.
In the following talk “Grading for development: from assumptions to practice”, Dr. Anna Tychmanowicz, research manager of the project, presented the theoretical assumptions of the grading for development method and gave examples of how the method is used in everyday school teaching.
At the end of the presentations, project leader Katarzyna Mykowska discussed the assumptions and goals of the project, invited the audience to future events and reviewed the materials being developed as part of the project to support teachers in the field of assessment for development.
The seminar culminated in a panel discussion with the participation of:
Aleksanda Rodzewicz, IBE – moderator
Panellists:
- Tomasz Szabłowski, Superintendent of Education for the Lubelskie Voivodeship,
- Gabriela Olszowska, Superintendent of Education for the Małopolskie Voivodeship,
- Dorota Nowak-Maluchnik, Superintendent of Education for the Podkarpackie Voivodeship,
- Małgorzata Guellard, Director of the 100th Anniversary of Polish Independence Primary School in Kalinówka,
- Katarzyna Rajkiewicz, Polish language teacher at Józef Piłsudski Primary School No. 48 in Lublin
- Łukasz Korzeniowski, senior specialist in the Education and Upbringing Unit of the Office of the Children's Rights Ombudsperson
During the discussion, panellists talked about what they personally dislike about traditional assessment and why it is worth implementing assessment methods for development, among other issues. They also discussed school statutes and their frequent discrepancy with the current law, as well as examples of using descriptive, oral assessment methods.
At the end of the discussion, seminar participants had the opportunity to ask questions. The interaction with the people in the room showed that the meeting was valuable and encouraged the seminar participants representing the education system to reflect on the issue of assessment in schools.
More information about the project and the activities undertaken.
The event was part of the project “Supporting the accessibility of education for children and youth”, which is funded by the European Funds for Social Development (FERS).
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