CBAs & Inquiry Based Learning

The new junior cycle places the student at the centre of the learning process. It allows for new ways of learning and a broader range of skills to be properly assessed.

Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and skills in ways not possible in a pen and paper examination, for example, their verbal communication and investigation skills.

CBAs are undertaken in many subjects and short courses and are facilitated by the classroom teacher over a three week period. The teacher guides the student through their learning journey using  formative feedback, peer assessment, as well as self assessment providing a rubric for learning.

The new junior cycle places the student at the centre of the learning process. It allows for new ways of learning and a broader range of skills to be properly assessed.

Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and skills in ways not possible in a pen and paper examination, for example, their verbal communication and investigation skills.

CBAs are undertaken in many subjects and short courses and are facilitated by the classroom teacher over a three week period. The teacher guides the student through their learning journey using  formative feedback, peer assessment, as well as self assessment providing a rubric for learning.

GCL students are at a massive advantage having immediate access to technology. A common element throughout every subject is research. Students need to be able to search the internet for articles, books and websites for their relevant project title. They must assess the source critically for reliability, outlining their reasoning. 

There is rich critical thinking and analysis when delving deep into the statistics and deciphering whether the information is suitable, sound  and reliable to use.

Student feedback is greatly enhanced for our students using technology. Students submit their work to the teacher using iTunesU, Google Classroom or Showbie. They then receive a mix of written and aural feedback from the teacher online. 

Students are encouraged to respond the the feedback as well carrying out peer assessment and self assessment. This cycle continues throughout the CBA process, capturing learning and development of student along the way. 

To achieve an ‘exceptional’ grade, students are required to present their work in an innovative and creative format. Without doubt the iPad facilitates this. Students are free to submit in any format, examples include Keynotes, iBooks, iMovies, Apple Clips, Numbers for example.