Inquiry involves competencies such as learning to learn, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, creativity, innovation and global citizenship.
We asked our educators, “How can we assess these competencies?”
Their answer: talk to students, observe and listen.
When assessing inquiry based learning, triangulating assessment is crucial. The concrete tasks, reflections and assignments in Ocean School, including a summative Take Action, are all formal assessment opportunities. From our pilot educators, we’ve learned that Ocean School also offers many valuable opportunities to assess learners’ progress during the inquiry process as well.
Below we describe four Ocean School assessment opportunities.
Observing students and engaging them in conversation as they are working will provide insight into their learning experience, thinking process and inform you in assessing where students may need more support. Smartphones and tablets are invaluable tools to capture such learning “in the moment”. For example, you may choose to record a discussion with an individual or group.
Assignments and reflections - Each time a group or individual completes a piece of media, an assignment or reflection is automatically generated in their Google Drive. You can check students’ individual or Crew folders to track their progress and provide timely feedback. You may also wish to modify assignments and reflections to better suit your curriculum needs. For more on how to modify assignments and reflections, read Customizing Ocean School activities.
Peer and self-assessment - Ocean School encourages both educators and students to engage in the learning and assessment process. On this page you will find modifiable self-assessment forms for peer and self-assessment that you can use with your students.
Take Action - The Take Action plan is designed to extend and sustain inquiry. We hope Ocean School can inspire students to move beyond investigation to taking action on issues in the community. The Take Action plan provides students with the scaffolding to make a concrete plan. As your students develop their plans, there will be rich opportunities for discussion, reflection and growth.
Peer and self-assessment forms
Here are some modifiable self-assessment forms for peer and self-assessment that you can use with your students.
Exit Ticket
Use this form to help students review what they have learned at the end of a lesson.
Daily self-assessment
Use this form to help students to reflect on their learning.
Crew Assessment
Use this form to help students reflect on collaboration with their fellow crew members.
Take Action — Self-assessment
Use this form to help students to evaluate their Take Action plan and reflect on how they would improve next time.
Take Action — Peer feedback
Use this form to help students evaluate and provide constructive feedback for each others' Take Action plans.