Submitted by Robin Tierney
Embedded Formative Assessment was recommended to me by a CAfLN member in British Columbia. Dylan Wiliam’s work is well-known by educational researchers who are interested in the quality of classroom assessment. This particular book differs from many that are written by academics for practitioners in two important ways. First, the tone is engaging without sounding patronizing. Second, Wiliam offers abundant advice without aiming to script teachers’ practices. The first two chapters of the book provide background information on the importance of educational achievement and the impact of formative assessment. In the remaining chapters, five key formative assessment strategies are described along with 50 techniques for classroom use. What I really appreciate about this book, as a researcher and a teacher, is that Wiliam provides useful information for practicing formative assessment that is clearly based on both experience and research. This is a combination that other members of CAfLN with undoubtedly enjoy as well.