More moderation workshops planned

Almost a thousand teachers took up the opportunity to gain a better understanding of assessment decision-making with a series of workshops with NZQA moderators late last year. More workshops are planned for 2009 in a wider range of subjects and locations.

Secondary Moderation team leader Barbara May says 33 workshops were held in November and December 2009 across 21 subjects attended by 850 teachers and advisors. The workshops were held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wanganui, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

"The moderators were overwhelmed by the response which reflects the need in the sector. They received positive feedback and constructive comments from the participants," she says.

The workshops have all focused on teachers working with samples of student work for internally assessed standards. This is to help teachers to gain a clear understanding of the grade boundaries to accurately assess their own students.

QA News attended a Technology workshop given by moderator Steve Ronowicz held at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School in Wellington . The teachers were poring over examples which generated much discussion.

Two teachers at the Technology workshop in Wellington last November look through some examples provided for discussion.

One point Steve made to the technology teachers was not to be too prescriptive in setting assignments. The students should be encouraged to select their own projects.

An example he gave was, "Don't get students to design a costume for a specific character in the school production. It would be better to say, 'What's the area you want to work in? Now find a client and design a project to meet the need.' You could suggest a scenario such as helping with the school production and leave it up to them. The director could be the client."

The teachers discussed what needed to be sent for external moderation. One teacher said, "I tell my students to put work together as if someone who doesn't know their topic is reading it."

Teachers asked Steve if exemplars of student work in Technology would be made available soon. Steve responded that moderators would select work that demonstrates the criteria of the standards then annotate these exemplars to enhance teacher understanding. It is hoped to make those available via the NZQA website on the subject-specific pages.

The teachers at the Technology workshop found it was very useful. One commented it was well worth the airfare to attend.