Dynamic Assessment
Improving Learning Through Dynamic Assessment (2013)
Authors: Fraser Lauchlan and Donna Carrigan
My expertise in dynamic assessment dates back to 1995 when I was first trained in the approach as a doctoral research student. During my doctoral studies, supervised by Professor Julian Elliott, I visited Israel on a six-week long fieldwork placement which was funded by a Wyndham-Deedes Scholarship award from the Anglo-Israel Association.
During the visit I was able to work closely with two eminent figures who have promoted the dynamic assessment approach: Professor David Tzuriel and Professor Reuven Feuerstein, and from whom I continued my education and training in this innovative approach.
From that time in the mid-1990s until the present day I have been involved in extensive research and practice as a professional educational psychologist, including the publication of over 20 research papers and conference presentations, culminating in the publication of a resource textbook on the approach entitled “Improving Learning Through Dynamic Assessment”, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2013, and co-written with my colleague Donna Carrigan.
In 2021, with my co-director Dr Clare Daly, we launched Dynamic Assessment UK (www.dynamicassessmentuk.com), which is the first of its kind. A ‘one stop shop’ for all things related to dynamic assessment, where practitioners are able to network with each other to share resources and practice, and where they can advance their skills in this innovative approach under expert supervision. All training and certification have been approved by the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Professional Development Centre. Practitioners are now able to work towards being a fully approved DA practitioner. This is an exciting development and one in which we passionately believe can lead to improved delivery of DA practice by educational psychologists and related professionals. Click here to be directed to the Dynamic Assessment UK website for more details.
Amazon Customer Reviews
Explanation of Graphic Communication Symbols
I am sometimes asked during training to explain some of the graphics that are used to represent the Learning Principles (see pages 89-95 of Improving Learning Through Dynamic Assessment.
Please note that these are available in a larger format (PDF file) on the JKP website. The symbols were derived from a ‘brainstorming’ session with colleagues based in South Lanarkshire Council’s Psychological Service.
Feel free to come up with your own ideas (some of ours could be considered ‘culturally specific’).
Cognitive Learning Principles (14 in total)
I communicate my answers in a clear way
Symbol: a telephone (communication)
I search for answers to problems
Symbol: a Sherleck Holmes style magnifying glass (searching for clues)
I can explain how I got my answers
Symbol: a judge (having to justify yourself)
I choose my answers carefully
Symbol: two buttons (threading buttons has to be done carefully and with precision)
I can understand what I am being asked to do in tasks
Symbol: a question mark (you should ask a question if you do not understand what to do)
I can explain how I got my answers
Symbol: a judge (having to justify yourself)
I can use what I have learned to help me with other tasks
Symbol: a bus (indicates the ‘transportation’ of what you have learned from one task to another)
I work without rushing or taking too long
Symbol: a stopwatch (timing how long one takes)
I can remember information that will help me solve tasks
Symbol: an elephant (elephants have good memories)
I notice when my answers are not correct
Symbol: 2 + 2 = 6 (clearly an incorrect sum)
I can understand positions and know my left and right
Symbol: two hands, one pointing to the left and one pointing to the right
Affective Learning Principles (10 in total)
I ask for help when I need it
Symbol: a pupil sitting at her desk with her hand in raised (indicating someone asking for help)
I can stay interested in a task
Symbol: an exclamation mark! (indicating being awake and alert)
I can change the way I try to solve a problem
Symbol: a pupil carrying armfuls of books (indicating the many ways that one could try to solve a problem, by reading several different books on different approaches)
I want to do well in school tasks
Symbol: A carrot (indicating motivation. the carrot and stick approach where one receives rewards for doing something well)
I keep going with my work even if it’s difficult
Symbol: a spider (indicating perseverance. It refers to the legend of Robert the Bruce who was in cave and watched a spider trying over and over until it succeeded in weaving a web. Legend has it that this motivated him to keep trying until he defeated the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314)
I can keep my mind on my work and not be put off
Symbol: a pupil looking focused and with three arrows pointing towards his head (indicating keeping ‘on task’)
I stick to my answers when challenged
Symbol: a lion (indicating being courageous in ‘sticking to your guns’, even if someone is challenging you)
I feel relaxed and comfortable
Symbol: an armchair (where one is sitting comfortably)
I am awake and ready to learn
Symbol. An alarm clock on top of a pile of books (getting up early and getting ready to learn)