
Module 1 - Session 9
DESIGNING MEANINGFUL ASSESSMENTS
Shifting to Teaching Across Learning Environments (TALE)

GETTING STARTED
OVERVIEW
Welcome to TALE Academy Module 1: Shifting to Teaching Across Learning Environments (TALE)!
Goal – The goal of this module is to prepare educators to intentionally design and offer learning experiences that build upon the opportunities provided by different learning environments and formats.
Module Content – This module consists of 10 sessions that will support shifting to teaching across learning environments. Each session contains a variety of content and learning activities.
Session Content – You are beginning Module 1 – Session 9: Designing Meaningful Assessments.
MODULE WORKBOOK
If you have not yet downloaded your personal copy of the TALE Academy Workbook for this module, do so now. See directions below. There is only one workbook for each module which contains activities for all sessions within that module.
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Step 1: Create your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook.
Throughout this session, you will complete the session activities and take notes in the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook. You will have many opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills you learn using your digital workbook. When you click on the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook link, you will be prompted to make a copy of the workbook. Once you do so, your notes and your work within your workbook will be visible only to you. Please note that the workbook is fillable using Google Slides. We do not recommend printing a copy due to the length of the workbook.
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Step 2: Get familiar with the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook.
Now that you have your personal copy of the workbook, review pages 1-7 to learn about the workbook’s contents and tips for using the workbook. Don’t forget to add your name to page 1 to personalize your workbook!
Step 3: Review “Key Terms” for Session 9 in the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook.
Your last step is to review the key terms for Session 9. For every TALE Academy session, the key terms are listed at the start of each new session in the workbook. You can return to the key terms page(s) of your workbook throughout this session to add your notes.
GUIDING QUESTIONS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES
GUIDING QUESTIONS
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How do I currently capture authentic, meaningful evidence of student learning?
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How does assessment change to fit the learning environment?
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How can my current assessments adapt to teaching across learning environments?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this session, you will be able to do the following:
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Identify the most effective assessments you currently use.
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Compare your current means of assessment with the adaptations needed to suit teaching across learning environments.
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Select one current means of assessment and determine how it might apply to teaching across learning environments.
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Apply best practices in feedback and assessment across learning environments and use these to elevate a current practice.
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Design a rubric that gives clear performance criteria indicators for an authentic assessment.
ENGAGE: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
LEARN FROM OTHERS:
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
The following video highlights the reflections of New York State educators on designing meaningful assessments across learning environments.
WORKBOOK
ACTIVITY
To activate your prior knowledge on the topic, please complete the following steps:
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In your copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, complete Activity 1.9.1 – Assessment Chart.
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If you have not already created your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy of the workbook.
EXPLORE: TOPIC OVERVIEW
READ, WATCH, LISTEN
Select from the learning modalities below to explore an overview of the topic for this session. You may read a magazine-style article, watch a video, or listen to a conversational podcast.
You need to select only one option: read, watch, or listen.
As you read, watch, or listen, consider pausing and reviewing the key terms for this session in your workbook. You can add your own notes, ideas for application, or definitions of the terms in your own words.

READ
Dive into our Module 1 – Session 9 READ, a magazine-style overview of the session topic with infographics and links to resources.

WATCH
Tune into our Module 1 – Session 9 WATCH, a narrated, animated video that provides an overview of the session topic.

LISTEN
Settle in for our Module 1 – Session 9 LISTEN, a conversational, podcast-style discussion among educators about the session topic.
EXPLORE: CHOICE BOARD
Select one option from the choices offered below to learn more. You should explore BOTH resources for whichever option you choose (read, watch, or listen), but you are welcome to explore all the resources!

Starting Student Feedback Loops
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Assessment and Feedback: Challenges and Opportunities
Synopsis: From Edutopia, Starting Student Feedback Loops clearly outlines the importance of specific, non-evaluative feedback and gives advice on how to begin using feedback loops in your classroom to help students reach their learning goals. The next reading gives strategies for assessment and feedback using pedagogical technology, exemplified through use cases where teachers took advantage of different tools to elevate their online assessment methods.
Format: Article and Blog
Time: 10 minutes

How to Give Constructive and Actionable Feedback to Students
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Authentic Assessment at School of the Future
Synopsis: The first video is a step-by-step approach to actionable feedback. The second video showcases authentic assessment through the eyes of educators at NYC’s School of the Future.
Format: Videos
Time: 13 minutes

Moving from Feedback to FeedForward (31:03 to 35:14)
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Authentic Assignments (3:09 to 8:12)
Synopsis: In the first podcast, Cult of Pedagogy creator Jennifer Gonzalez talks about feedforward – a way of rethinking student feedback to focus on what can be done better in the future. The second podcast discusses how effective assessments provide students with meaning and why it matters.
Format: Podcast
Time: 9 minutes (selections), 1 hour 35 minutes (both podcasts)
ESTABLISH: REFLECTION FOR ACTION
WORKBOOK ACTIVITY
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Return to your copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 1.9.2 – Reflection.
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If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy of the workbook.
EXTEND: DEEPER LEARNING
Extend your learning by engaging in a longer workbook activity and/or accessing additional resources.
This section is designed to help you begin a journey into deeper learning on the topic area.
WORKBOOK ACTIVITY
Return to your copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 1.9.3 – Design a Rubric. If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy of the workbook.
Time: 20 minutes
ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES
Resources Referenced in the “Explore” Section
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Actionable Feedback for Teachers: The Missing Element in School Improvement
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The Power of Feedback Revisited: A Meta-Analysis of Educational Feedback Research
Resources on Student Feedback Loops
Five Fantastic Feedback (Loop) Methods to Use When Coaching Your Students
Topic: A brief overview of feedback looping and its role in personalized learning
Format: Blog
Time: 5 minutes
Topic: Fisher and Frey focus on the key role of how feedback is received by students
Format: Article and Video
Time: Article (5 minutes), Video (8 minutes)
What Is the Station Rotation Model?
Topic: A video on differentiated instruction using EdPuzzle
Format: Video
Time: 2 minutes
How to Promote Student Collaboration with Padlet
Topic: A video on using a collaborative digital bulletin board
Format: Video
Time: 2 minutes
Resources on Assessments Across Learning Environments
11 EdTech Tools that Make Formative Assessment A Breeze
Topic: A round-up of edtech tools that support assessment
Format: Article
Time: 10 minutes
Formative and Summative Assessment in a Hybrid Classroom
Topic: Designing assessments to get at learning and discourage cheating when some students are online; includes assessment activities
Format: Article
Time: 10 minutes
Topic: An example of a digital interactive choice board on the topic of assessments
Format: Interactive Resource
Time: Varies based on user interaction
Topic: Video exploring the benefits of offering audio feedback
Format: Video
Time: 8 minutes
Resources on Authentic Assessment
Topic: Overview of authentic assessment with examples
Format: Article
Time: 10 minutes