Examining Student Work
Module Description
When educators look at student work together, it provides them an opportunity to gain real insights into their teaching practices and what students are actually learning becomes the basis for improvement. This module outlines for teacher teams the process of collaborative examination of student work. Module viewers will learn how the process emphasizes the importance of collaboration when determining student proficiency, alignment of local and classroom assessments, and next steps for instructional improvement.
About the Module
Examining Student Work is designed to be used by collegial structures (e.g., learning teams or professional learning communities). During the module, teacher teams will:
- Reflect on current student work practices beyond grading and evaluation,
- Discuss how to connect learning concepts to team efforts, and
- Implement the examining student work process for various purposes.
Objectives
Module viewers will:
- Discover how the examination of student work can provide insights into student learning;
- Explore ways in which discussions about student work will allow teachers to raise questions about their own practice; and
- Better understand how the process of examining student work will assist and support the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
The Intended Audience
The module is designed for district personnel, administrators, and classroom teachers who work with students at all grade levels and in all content areas. Examining Student Work provides a foundation for understanding the process of examining student work and how to apply the process within a team structure.
The module can be used in several ways, including:
- In groups to establish a school-wide vision and imperative to put examining student work into action, or
- With smaller groups (e.g. professional learning communities/teacher teams) interested in studying their current practice and analyzing how examining student work could affect student learning.
