Prep to Year 10 Assessment – Assessment Tools
Using the Know, Want to know, How to learn, Learnt (KWHL) Tool
The following comments detail how the Learning Triangle Assessment Tool was used successfully at:
Pearcedale Primary School
This tool was trialled at Pearcedale Primary School by Ann Mackenzie with year 6 Integrated Curriculum.
I used this assessment tool:
- for students to reflect on the progress of their 'Postcards from Asia' unit. This is a study of an Asian country. Students used the Learning Triangle to assess their progress and to work out their future direction in the study.
I used the tool in the following way:
Half way through our Year 6
project on Asia, the students were asked to use the Learning Triangle to
assess their progress and determine the direction they needed to take.
Initially, I introduced the tool to the students and explained its relevance and purpose. The students completed their own learning triangle based on what they had experienced and done on their project so far. The students shared their triangles with a friend and discussed future directions. I was then able to collect the triangles and look at each student’s reflection. I then used them to assess the sources the students were using, their progress so far and their interest in their study. The students enjoyed the process.
You could use this tool:
- at the beginning of a topic to discover prior knowledge. It could also be used to resolve classroom issues.
Myrtleford Primary School
This tool was trialled at Myrtleford Primary School by Bernadette Holden for a Years 2 and 3 excursion.
I used this assessment tool:
- to reflect after an excursion and for future learning.
I used the tool in the following way:
The class and I discussed the
excursion and followed up in the usual way, (i.e. discussing, writing, and
drawing). We then did the learning triangles, mainly to determine future
directions. The tool helped me to ascertain the interests of the students and
what they want to find out more about.
I discussed the 'What will I ask now?' as the need to describe what we still need to learn. This could be reworded as 'What will we find out about now?' It is clear there has been too much attention given to reflecting and not to the future learning that students are inspired to do. This tool helps provide a balance.
I could improve the usefulness of this tool by:
- using it regularly. It will probably yield more information when students are more used to it.
You could use this tool:
- at the end of a unit of work to reflect on what was learnt and when planning future directions.
Kew East Primary School
This tool was trialled at Kew East Primary School by Biljana Stavreski with Level 2 writing focus.
We used this assessment tool:
- to recount a play we saw on bullying.
We used the tool in the following way:
I explained to the students
what each triangle would represent. I put a little symbol in each triangle
with the words for example, ear 
, eye 
and to personalise the tool and focus it on bullying I changed 'What I have
done' to 'What action will I take now?' The Learning Triangle is a great tool
and we will be using it regularly. It gave me a clear understanding of what
each student got out of the play.
We could improve the usefulness of this tool by:
- making small changes to suit the purpose.
You could use this tool:
- for any topic, or lesson as it will give you a clear understanding of what each student thinks, feels, and does as well as where they want to go next.