Must Be Measurable | John Hattie | The Good Ol’ Test
Oct 10, 2022
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In this conversation, John Hattie, an expert in Visible Learning research, shares insights into the significance of effect sizes in education. He emphasizes the limitations of standardized testing and advocates for a balanced approach to assessment that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative measures. Hattie discusses the importance of meaningful feedback and its role in enhancing student learning. He also explores the moral responsibilities of educators in fostering personal growth and the necessity of rethinking the role of tests within comprehensive assessment strategies.
The measurability of educational outcomes is crucial for public perception, impacting funding and teacher evaluations significantly.
Effective feedback in education must be actionable and understandable from the student's perspective to truly enhance learning outcomes.
Balancing direct instruction with inquiry-based learning is essential, as context and foundational knowledge significantly influence teaching effectiveness.
Deep dives
Acknowledging Thanksgiving Perspectives
Thanksgiving, a celebration in Canada, is viewed through differing lenses, particularly by Indigenous people. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing this alternative perspective while enjoying the holiday. By reimagining the celebration, there's potential for fostering truth and reconciliation. Acknowledging the historical context allows for a more inclusive understanding of the day.
The Role of Standardized Tests in Education
Standardized tests carry significant implications in the educational landscape, often influencing school funding and teacher evaluations. While many criticize the overreliance on these scores, dismissing their utility undermines their role in measuring educational effectiveness. It is essential to acknowledge that while test scores may provide a narrow view of student learning, they are still a critical component of the overall assessment picture. The educational community is urged to provide a more comprehensive narrative that contextualizes test scores within a broader understanding of student growth.
Contextualizing Feedback in Education
Feedback in education is crucial for student improvement but is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Effective feedback should be actionable, meaning students need to understand how to apply it to enhance their learning. The importance of viewing feedback from the student's perspective can lead to more meaningful improvements. As such, feedback should focus on enabling students to see their progress and understand their learning pathways rather than merely critiquing past performances.
The Importance of Self-Reported Grades
Self-reported grades indicate that students often have an accurate understanding of their academic standing. However, this self-assessment can create limitations if students become boxed into a perception of their abilities that inhibits their growth. Educators are encouraged to foster an environment where self-reporting is paired with guidance to help students exceed their perceived potential. Teaching students to interpret grades effectively can lead to a more profound understanding of their learning journey.
Reimagining Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based learning has potential benefits but does not always yield high effect sizes due to implementation issues. Effective teaching requires a balance of direct instruction and inquiry-based methods, emphasizing the importance of contextual understanding. Ensuring that students have foundational knowledge before engaging in inquiry can enhance outcomes. The key lies in understanding when to employ various teaching strategies and how to align assessment practices to support student inquiry.
In Don’t @ Me (2:37), Tom shares his thoughts on how anything schools want to count in the court of public opinion must be measurable. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. John Hattie (12:25) for part two of a conversation about the Visible Learning research. Finally, in Assessment Corner (52:38), Tom discusses the good ol’ test, and how it can still fit within a balanced approach to assessment.