Learning progressions

1. Learning progressions A simple-minded template from a simple-minded person

2. What are learning progressions? • Maps of student ideas bordered on one end by naïve ideas about the natural world (sometimes called misconceptions) and on the other end by grade-appropriate scientifically accepted explanations. • Creating learning progressions entails the following: • Deciding on the key concept • Developing a short description of that concept at different levels of understanding • Writing assessment prompts to elicit student ideas • Constructing strategies to give students feedback on their current ideas and a means to progress toward more accurate ideas.

3. Steps to developing a learning progression • Accounting of student ideas of a single construct. • Assessment prompts to elicit student thinking. • Age-appropriate examples of student responses. • Feedback strategies to more students to a more appropriate understanding.

4. Using the template: seasons • Write a description of the concept at the three levels of understanding • Discuss as a class after a few minutes • Write sample assessment prompts to elicit student ideas at each level • Discuss as a class after a few minutes • Brainstorm what you students would say that typifies their understanding at each level • Discuss as a class after a few minutes • Determine how to provide meaningful and timely feedback. This is the toughest step. • Discuss as a class after a few minutes • If you finish any step early, you may go on to the next step.

5. Using the template: your concept here! • Work with others in your school, district, or grade level to write your own learning progression for a concept of interest to you. • The instructors will wander around and help you out. • We have a few resources available.