Insights from an Instructional Team Model Focused on Formative Assessment with the Support of Learning Researchers
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| Title: | Insights from an Instructional Team Model Focused on Formative Assessment with the Support of Learning Researchers |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Patricia Moreira (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 2025 26(2). |
| Availability: | American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 7 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) |
| Contract Number: | 1626531 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Formative Evaluation, Student Evaluation, Undergraduate Students, Large Group Instruction, College Faculty, Teaching Assistants, Training, Researchers, Teamwork, Role, Program Effectiveness, Cognitive Processes, Learning, Attitudes |
| ISSN: | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
| Abstract: | Formative assessment is a key instructional practice for implementing evidence-based teaching, with research demonstrating its potential to enhance student learning. However, conducting formative assessments in large college classrooms with hundreds of students poses significant challenges, particularly in noticing, interpreting, and addressing students' thinking in real-time. To address these challenges, we designed, implemented, and studied a specialized instructional team model (ITM) consisting of the instructor and a team of learning assistants (LAs), including a dedicated learning researcher (LR). The LR plays a central role in supporting formative assessment by collecting and interpreting evidence of student understanding in large classroom settings. Over 7 years, the ITM influenced the teaching practices of 44 instructors, 48 LRs, and 974 LAs across 21 departments and eight colleges at our institution, positively impacting the learning experiences of more than 20,000 undergraduate students. Through this work, we learned that meaningful and productive engagement in formative assessment requires long-term training for both learning assistants and instructors. This training should focus on developing their ability to elicit, notice, interpret, and respond to student thinking. These key lessons are informed by insights from three stakeholder groups: learning researchers (LRs), participating instructors, and the management team. This perspective aims to inform Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educators and researchers interested in advancing formative assessment through the support of specialized instructional teams. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1481580 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Formative assessment is a key instructional practice for implementing evidence-based teaching, with research demonstrating its potential to enhance student learning. However, conducting formative assessments in large college classrooms with hundreds of students poses significant challenges, particularly in noticing, interpreting, and addressing students' thinking in real-time. To address these challenges, we designed, implemented, and studied a specialized instructional team model (ITM) consisting of the instructor and a team of learning assistants (LAs), including a dedicated learning researcher (LR). The LR plays a central role in supporting formative assessment by collecting and interpreting evidence of student understanding in large classroom settings. Over 7 years, the ITM influenced the teaching practices of 44 instructors, 48 LRs, and 974 LAs across 21 departments and eight colleges at our institution, positively impacting the learning experiences of more than 20,000 undergraduate students. Through this work, we learned that meaningful and productive engagement in formative assessment requires long-term training for both learning assistants and instructors. This training should focus on developing their ability to elicit, notice, interpret, and respond to student thinking. These key lessons are informed by insights from three stakeholder groups: learning researchers (LRs), participating instructors, and the management team. This perspective aims to inform Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educators and researchers interested in advancing formative assessment through the support of specialized instructional teams. |
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| ISSN: | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
