- Curriculum for Wales
Collaborative Assessment: RM Compare as a Professional Development Tool
This is the eighth post in our 10-part series offering a Welsh Curriculum practitioners guide to RM Compare.
Enhancing Professional Learning Through Collaboration
The new Curriculum for Wales emphasises the importance of ongoing professional development for educators. RM Compare emerges as a powerful tool not just for student assessment, but also for fostering collaborative learning among teachers. This innovative approach aligns perfectly with the National Approach to Professional Learning, offering a platform for teachers to engage in meaningful, collaborative assessment practices.
Breaking Down Silos in Assessment
Traditionally, teachers often work in isolation when it comes to assessment. RM Compare challenges this paradigm by providing a digital space for collaborative moderation. Teachers can now engage with work from various schools and contexts, broadening their perspective on what constitutes quality across different subjects and year groups.
Developing a Shared Understanding of Standards
One of the key strengths of RM Compare in professional development is its ability to facilitate the creation of a shared understanding of assessment standards. As teachers compare different pieces of work, they engage in rich discussions about what makes a piece of work 'good' or 'excellent'. This process naturally leads to the development of a more consistent and nuanced understanding of quality across the teaching community.
Fostering Reflective Practice
The comparative judgement process inherent in RM Compare encourages teachers to reflect deeply on their own assessment practices. By regularly engaging with a wide range of student work, educators can identify patterns, recognise biases, and refine their judgement skills. This reflective practice is crucial for ongoing professional growth and aligns with the curriculum's emphasis on developing ambitious, capable educators.
Supporting Cross-Curricular Collaboration
RM Compare provides a unique opportunity for cross-curricular collaboration. Teachers from different subject areas can come together to assess work that spans multiple disciplines, fostering a more holistic approach to education. This aligns with the curriculum's emphasis on cross-curricular skills and interdisciplinary learning.
Efficient and Flexible Professional Development
In the busy world of education, finding time for professional development can be challenging. RM Compare offers a flexible solution, allowing teachers to engage in collaborative assessment at times that suit them. This efficiency means that professional learning can become an ongoing, integrated part of a teacher's practice rather than an occasional, separate activity.
Building a Professional Learning Community
Through regular use of RM Compare for moderation and standardisation, schools can develop strong professional learning communities. These communities can extend beyond individual schools, creating networks of educators who share insights, best practices, and support each other's professional growth.
Enhancing Assessment Literacy
As teachers engage with RM Compare, they naturally enhance their assessment literacy. The tool provides opportunities to discuss and refine assessment criteria, consider different types of evidence of learning, and explore innovative assessment methods. This increased assessment literacy benefits not only the teachers but also their pupils, as educators become more adept at providing meaningful feedback and guidance.
Supporting the Transition to the New Curriculum
The transition to the new Curriculum for Wales requires a shift in assessment practices. RM Compare supports this transition by providing a platform for teachers to explore and implement new approaches to assessment that align with the curriculum's vision. The collaborative nature of the tool ensures that teachers can support each other through this period of change.
Looking to the Future
As Welsh education continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to professional development. RM Compare represents a forward-thinking solution that not only enhances assessment practices but also fosters a culture of collaborative learning among educators. By embracing this tool, Welsh teachers are not just improving their assessment skills; they are actively shaping the future of education in Wales, creating a more connected, reflective, and skilled teaching profession.