Collaborating for coherence in CPD:
Developing the SQA Academy
Presenter: Dr Brendan Tierney, SQA
The context for CPD in SQA
6,000 are teachers
15,000 appointees
560 SQA staff
160,000 candidates
750, 000 exam scripts
The contextPace and nature of change e.g. AifL, Curriculum for Excellence, CAA
Recognition of the need for better training of staff and appointees
Demand from teachers for more/better understanding of what SQA do
Anticipation of enhanced role for teachers in future assessment regimes
Current views on assessment
“The basic premise underlying any good assessment system is that it should do no harm and as much good as possible”(Paul Black, House of Commons Seminar, April 2007)
Assessment can be harmful
“When decisions need to be made about when and how assessment techniques can be used the lack of fundamental understanding of the purposes may lead to confusion and ultimately to rejection of the techniques”Changing Assessment Practice. Assessment Reform Group 2008
Assessment is confusing
Assessment as it is carried out is a barrier to learning
“I didn’t say SQA is the forces of darkness, I said it is one of the forces of darkness”(Professor X at the Faculty of Education at the University of Strathclyde )
Assessment is all about memorisation
Activity 1How well do the following statements reflectyour views and experiences?
1. Assessment is harmful to learning
2. Because assessment is confusing teachers are wary of being flexible with it.
3. It’s the way SQA operates assessment that creates problems for learners and teachers
4. Assessment is all about memorisation
Aim of the SQA Academy
To extend and enhance the training and development opportunities available to all those that contribute to the SQA assessment process, including SQA staff, appointees and teachers
The SQA Academy
How we decide what courses to develop:Relates to general assessment issues
Relates to appointee training
Reflects the stated needs of others groups
CoherenceLinking what we offer to appointees with what we offer to teachers
Linking appointee training to the GTCS Professional Recognition framework
Developing joint courses with other national agencies: Scotland's Colleges, LT Scotland, GTCS (Learning Connections)
Participating in national CPD Network
Linking summative assessment to learning
Promoting good assessment practices
Encouraging discussion about assessment on online forums
How do we create courses?
Face-to-face workshop activities
Online reflective
tasks
Online introductory coursework
SQA Academy Approach
Circle 1 – Online tasks
Circle 2 – face to face tasks
Circle 3 – online reflective discussion
Course Creation
Content Authors are requested
to provide:
• Content for online section
• Content for face-to-face activities
• Guidance for Course Tutors.
Course creation and delivery
Face to Face Workshop Materials
Notes for Tutors
Designated Course Tutors
Course Participants
Hosted on SQA AcademyHave access
Have access
No access
No access
Deliver Training
Create
Create
Online Training Materials
SQA Business Area
SQA Academy Team
Discuss Course Needs
Nominate Subject Specialist
Issues Contract
Create
Author
Have access
Have a
ccess
Course DeliveryDesignated Course Tutors are:• Selected by Local Authorities• Trained in “effective online
course delivery”• Have access to hidden
“activity library”• Able to set up groups and
deliver without SQA staff.
Discussion
Have we got it right?
Contact details
Dr Brendan Tierney
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0131 561 6926
SQA Academy
Website: www.sqaacademy.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
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