Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-3-1-dylan-wiliam [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: Cognitive Science for Teachers - Seneca Certified Educator](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator.md) › Dylan Wiliam # Dylan Wiliam CPD: Cognitive Science Level 1, topic 4.3.1 ## Formative Assessment Prof. Dylan Wiliam is a researcher who examines formative assessment. ### Definition ![Definition](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/e4dc28ad-27f8-4c91-8820-1dc5aed3fbcc/teach-teacher-learn-.jpg) - Formative assessment happens when teachers and students use information about results and performance to modify their routines and generate better results and performance. - It's the idea of constantly checking students' achievement and using it to make adjustments in teaching and learning. ### Like piloting a plane ![Like piloting a plane](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/72c58ac3-1297-4fd3-a047-17150e7e9120/superjet-jet-plane-.jpg) - Wiliam explains that using formative assessment to make adjustments to teaching and learning is like an airplane pilot taking readings on its position to correct and optimise its route. ### Like a bridge ![Like a bridge](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/Avignon,%20France-min.jpg) - Constant and frequent assessment is better than a single one at the end of the teaching process. - Assessment is the bridge between teaching and learning and should be used by teachers to reflect on their practice and improve it. ## Assessment for Learning (AfL) Related to formative assessment, AfL offers suggestions of techniques that can be used to ensure teaching is adjusted to help students achieve. ### Closing the gap ![Closing the gap](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/3.1.1%20Changing%20Wave%20Motion/mind-the-gap-1876790_640-min.jpg) - According to Cambridge Assessment, AfL is a way to close the gap between where pupils are and where they want to be. - AfL provides the answer to how to move students from one point to the other. ### How it works ![How it works](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f0ea0d51-5bbd-41b4-b6fe-c9b4a9f8eb0e/feedback-1825515_1920.jpg) - AfL mainly happens via: - Teachers asking students questions. - Teachers providing feedback to students. - Students knowing what the expected outcome of an activity is. - Independent learning, peer-assessment and self-assessment. - Summative assessments. ### Benefits of AfL ![Benefits of AfL](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2c24a9c8-ce58-4a8d-9ddb-fa499b72dc99/benefits-.jpg) - Increases self-efficacy in students. - Higher ability students enhance learning by explaining content to lower ability colleagues. - Increases independent learning skills. - Helps teachers to reflect on their practice and adjust it if necessary. ## Test yourself on Dylan Wiliam - What do we call the process of teachers constantly adjusting their practice based on information about students' achievement? - Which are true about formative assessment? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/9f6bf15c-23fe-401c-810a-3bc66d761885/section/577bb799-7053-4660-8c9a-e461a08da363/session) - Previous topic: [4.2.1 Dunlosky's Strategies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-2-1-dunloskys-strategies.md) - Next topic: [4.4.1 Daniel Willingham](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-4-1-daniel-willingham.md) ## CPD: Cognitive Science Level 1 contents ### 1 Memory - 1.1 Memory Processing - [1.1.1 Overview of Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-1-overview-of-memory.md) - [1.1.2 Memory Processing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-1-2-memory-processing.md) - 1.2 Types of Memory - [1.2.1 Types of Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-2-1-types-of-memory.md) - [1.2.2 Working Memory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/1-2-2-working-memory.md) ### 2 How Do We Learn? - 2.1 Neural Model of Learning - [2.1.1 Neural Model of Learning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-1-neural-model-of-learning.md) - [2.1.2 Desirable Difficulties](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-2-desirable-difficulties.md) - [2.1.3 The Forgetting Curve](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/2-1-3-the-forgetting-curve.md) ### 3 Cognitive Load Theory - 3.1 CLT - [3.1.1 CLT](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/3-1-1-clt.md) - [3.1.2 Background Knowledge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/3-1-2-background-knowledge.md) ### 4 Effective Strategies - 4.1 Rosenshine's Principles - [4.1.1 Rosenshine's Top 1-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-1-1-rosenshines-top-1-5.md) - [4.1.2 Rosenshine's 6-10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-1-2-rosenshines-6-10.md) - 4.2 Dunlosky's Strategies - [4.2.1 Dunlosky's Strategies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-2-1-dunloskys-strategies.md) - 4.3 Dylan Wiliam - [4.3.1 Dylan Wiliam](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-3-1-dylan-wiliam.md) - 4.4 Daniel Willingham - [4.4.1 Daniel Willingham](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-4-1-daniel-willingham.md) - 4.5 The Learning Scientists - [4.5.1 The Learning Scientists](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-5-1-the-learning-scientists.md) - [4.5.2 Practical Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-cognitive-science-for-teachers-seneca-certified-educator/4-5-2-practical-ideas.md)