Inside the black box: do teachers practice assessment as learning?

Abstract

The conceptual development of assessment literature in recent years has been remarkable. One of the latest concepts to have emerged in parallel with this development is Assessment as Learning (AsL). This study investigated how AsL pertains to classroom practices within its conceptual framework by examining teacher reports. Case study design, a qualitative research method, was used to collect detailed information about in-class teacher practices. The teachers were interviewed with semi-structured interview forms and the data obtained were then analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that in-class teacher practices were incapable of supporting AsL and promoting self-regulated behaviors and that many of the activities conducted in class were teacher-centered. Teachers did not apply self-assessment or peer-assessment practices, and the feedback they gave to students was mainly based on measurement scores. The researchers discussed the results in relation to the relevant literature and offered some suggestions for applying AsL in practice.