In this unit we are learning to…

• understand what learning intentions and features of quality are

• be able to identify and frame learning intentions and features of quality

• identify opportunities for using learning intentions and features of quality in our own classroom

Why are learning intentions and features of quality important?

‘If learners are to take more responsibility for their own learning, then they need to know what they are going to learn, how they will recognise when they have succeeded and why they should learn it in the first place.’

(An Intro to AfL, Learning Unlimited, 2004)

Learning intentions

‘What’ and ‘Why’

Features of quality‘How to recognise success’

What are learning intentions?

Learning intentions are statements that describe the learning activities/tasks that a lesson or series of

lessons will focus on.

Learning Intentions• Identify new learning• Focus on transferable skills

Sharing learning intentions

1. Identify what students will be learning (We are learning to…)

2. Explain the reason for the learning (This is because…)

3. Share and where appropriate, negotiate the learning and the reason with students at the beginning of the lesson or activity

4. Present these in language that students can understand

5. Revisit the learning intention throughout the activity/lesson

What is the Learning?

• Knowledge and understanding• Skills (Focus on key skills when possible)• Attitudes and dispositions

Exploring learning intentions

• We are learning to…

- share ideas honestly

- make connections between what I already know and new learning

Exploring learning intentions

• Activity: What are we doing?- Write a description of the main character in a novel

• Learning intention: What are we learning?

- To write an effective characterisation

• Context:

- Junior Cycle English

Activity 1

From doing to learning

Getting the learning intentions right!Activity Learning intentions

To plan an investigation to determine the relative effectiveness of baking soda as an antacid treatment.

To be able to:write a testable hypothesisdecide on the most appropriate methods for conducting an investigationexplain how reliability, fairness and safety have been considered

Give a speech for or against smoking

To present a point of view in a persuasive way

Working in a group to design a leaflet to promote healthy eating

To be able to work effectively in a group

Tips for using learning intentions effectively

• Start small• Separate the learning intention from the activity

instructions• Make sure students understand why they are learning it• Use student-friendly language (and/or ensure students

have the language of learning)• Make it visible (display)• Allow time for discussion with students

Features of quality

Learning Intentions‘What’ and

‘Why’

Features of quality‘How to recognise success’

Why are features of quality important?

• Improve understanding• Empower students• Encourage independent learning• Enable accurate feedback

What are features of quality?

Students and teachers make judgements on the quality of student work by viewing evidence of learning against criteria called features of quality.

Features of quality…

• are linked to the learning intentions• are specific to an activity/task• are discussed and agreed with students prior to

undertaking the activity/task• provide a scaffold and focus for students while

engaged in the activity/task• are used as the basis for feedback, peer-

assessment and self-assessment.

Learning intentions: To be able to:write a testable hypothesisdecide on the most appropriate methods for conducting an investigationexplain how reliability, fairness and safety have been considered

Activity: To plan an investigation to determine the relative effectiveness of baking soda as an antacid treatment

Features of quality:Generates, discusses, and chooses interesting questions to investigateUses scientific ideas to make testable predictionsSuggests more than one way to investigate the questionIdentifies the variables in the investigationExplains the predicted relationships between the variablesIdentifies and justifies the most appropriate way to investigateConducts a risk assessment of the proposed method and outlines necessary safety precautionsIdentifies the most appropriate data-gathering instruments to record reliable dataAcknowledges the limitations on the precision of the data to be recorded

Activity 2

From learning intentions to features of quality

Recapping on the benefits

• How does the use of learning intentions and features of quality benefit students?

Summary

To take more responsibility for their own learning, students need to know:

• what they are going to learn• how they will recognise when they have

succeeded • why they should learn it in the first place

Summary cont.

Using learning intentions and features of quality:• creates more self-motivated students• empowers students to become independent

learners• improves understanding• can help focus feedback