Assessment for learning and questioning techniques

One of the biggest components of assessment for learning is the use of proper questioning techniques. Working on effective questioning strategies can help the teacher and students effectively gauge the progress in understanding for all students. It takes practice with both students and teachers. We all have nightmares where our lessons look like the ones in the videos. It is easy to see little pieces of ourselves in each of these videos (as teachers and probably as students) How could we have designed each of these failed lessons to work in a 21st century classroom?
http://cooperativelearning.nuvvo.com/lesson/9592-seinfeld-teaches-history
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl7WpYCdarc

Review of Damian Cooper's Session on Assessment

Damian Cooper Discussed 8 Big Ideas of Assessment

They are:

1) Every assessment has a different purpose-some inform instruction:of learning(summative measure of how much learning has occurred-keep score), for learning(initial purpose promote to increase learning- feedback provided,) as learning (student self assessing).

2) Assessment must be planned-know where grades come from

3) Assessment must be balanced-oral/written-purposeful- write do say- authenticity is key!

4) Assessment and instruction are joined

5) Assessment scores aren’t the only thing- there is a place

6) Assessment is done with them and ideally with parents

7) Performance standards are essential component- clear indicator of quality-how well they must demonstrate it

8)Grading/reporting isn’t the focus- we have to do it but it is an accounting process not a learning process- won’t let it derail your teaching!