Publication: Exploring primary pre-service teachers’ use of ‘assessment for learning’ while teaching primary P.E. during school placement

Research Impact: Despite the consensus regarding the value of school placement experiences for primary pre-service teachers (PSTs) in teacher education programmes, challenges remain in PSTs’ ability to transfer the knowledge gained on assessment for learning (AfL) in their initial teacher education programmes to the reality of the primary classroom. Furthermore, although there has been a significant growth ofinterest in assessment literacy and how this can impact teachers’ use of AfL to enhance teaching and support  student learning, there has been no research relating to primary PSTs’ assessment literacy in enacting AfL in physical education. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent that primary PSTs demonstrate assessment literacy in their enactment of AfL while teaching physical education during school placement. We found that the teacher educators’ role in modelling and mentoring PSTs on school placement made a significant impact on PSTs’ delivery of AfL.

Macken, S., MacPhail, A., & Calderón, A. (2020). Exploring primary pre-service teachers’ use of ‘assessment for learning’ while teaching primary physical education during school placement. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. doi:10.1080/17408989.2020.1752647