Feedback at the Forefront: Rethinking Assessment in Writing Instruction

Presented by Dr. Troy Hicks, Professor of English and Education, Author, and Consultant, Central Michigan University; and Shaelynn Farnsworth, Coach, Consultant, and Educator, Web20Classroom

 Sponsored by Writable

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Research shows that better feedback drives better revision, which is the key to writing growth, and yet there is an often-misplaced desire to replace the kind of feedback that students really need with only a single, teacher-generated grade. The elusive, yet worthwhile, goal for educators is to find more effective and efficient ways to offer feedback for students that is timely, specific, and goal-oriented, while also being standards-based and calibrated. With a few small shifts in the ways we provide feedback — and think about assessment in general — teachers and school leaders can make a substantive difference in student learning.

In this edWebinar, literacy experts and authors Dr. Troy Hicks and Shaelynn Farnsworth discuss ways to shift towards feedback-centered writing instruction, all in an effort to save time on grading and encourage student writing growth. Learn specific strategies (and tech tools) for moving feedback to the forefront of instruction and assessment. By giving effective feedback, implementing AI-based feedback, and calibrating teacher feedback across a school or district, we can help our students grow as writers.

Rethink the lens through which you guide and measure your writing program by seeing how other schools are growing successful student writers through Writable, a comprehensive program for writing instruction and assessment. Together, both examine data while also learning how to make that data actionable by folding it back into instruction and assessment in easy, effective, and personalized ways.

This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to kindergarten through higher education teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, those working in curriculum and instruction, TOSAs and coaches, and technology directors.

About the Presenters

Dr. Troy Hicks is Professor of English and Education at Central Michigan University (CMU). He directs both the Chippewa River Writing Project and the Master of Arts in Learning, Design & Technology program. A former middle school teacher, he collaborates with K–12 colleagues and explores how they implement newer literacies in their classrooms. In 2011, he was honored with CMU’s Provost’s Award for junior faculty who demonstrate outstanding achievement in research and creative activity; in 2014, he received the Conference on English Education’s Richard A. Meade Award for scholarship in English Education; and, in 2018, he received the Michigan Reading Association’s Teacher Educator Award. An ISTE Certified Educator, Dr. Hicks has authored numerous books, articles, chapters, blog posts, and other resources broadly related to the teaching of literacy in our digital age. Follow him on Twitter: @hickstro

Shaelynn Farnsworth is a leader in the convergence between literacy and technology. As a high school teacher, she redefined her English classroom as not only a place to learn about literature but also explore how technology is shaping the future of communications. She continues this exploration as a consultant focusing on technology, literacy, differentiation, and systemic change. Shaelynn is a staff developer, literacy coach, and supports districts in the implementation of initiatives. She is an MIE Expert, Google Certified Innovator, Apple Teacher, and has training in Project-Based Learning from the Buck Institute, Visible Learning with Hattie, Instructional Coaching, and K-12 Literacy Best Practices.

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Writable is a guided writing program for grades 3-12 that helps teachers scaffold and motivate students to become purposeful, proficient writers, and helps schools assess and monitor writing growth. With 600+ assignments and prompts (or create your own), and district or state-level benchmark assessments, Writable helps teachers save time on prep and grading while focusing their writing instruction.