In the last blog of this series, 7 Formative Assessment Strategies, we outlined the difference between formative and summative assessment.
Formative assessment is a good way of keeping learning on track. We can find out what our students know during the lesson, then respond to this in real time. This means that grades will be higher at the end of a course, module or curriculum year.
Today, let’s focus on one of the strategies that features in our new course: One Minute Timer.
One-Minute Timer is a great opportunity for students to communicate what they know, all within a very short space of time.
What is One-Minute Timer?
In One-Minute Timer, give students 60 seconds to relay everything they know about a topic or have learnt in a lesson.
Students could write this on a piece of paper, tell their partner or stand up and tell the whole class.
Why does it work?
One-Minute Timer tells you everything what students know, so you can plan next steps accordingly. Students are also free to say whatever they want to, so they feel empowered. Because one minute is only a short amount of time, they’ll also prioritise the information they think is the most important.
When should it be used?
One-Minute can be used at any point in the lesson! Perhaps at the start to tell you everything that they know about a new topic. Maybe in the middle so students can summarise what they have learnt so far today. It could even be used at the end as a reflection on the lesson.
It’s so easy to use – all you need is a stopwatch, clock or watch!
Have you used the One-Minute Timer? Comment below to tell us how it went!
