Using Dynamic Assessment with Deaf Children

Content

Dynamic Assessment (DA) is an interactive approach to testing which combines assessment and teaching within a single assessment procedure. It focuses on the learner's ability to respond to intervention and the level of support required by the assessor.

In this talk, we focused on what differentiates Dynamic Assessment from teaching and from standardised testing and present a model how it can be used in the classroom. The session will also include a brief review of the research that has been done on using Dynamic Assessment with deaf populations.

We then explored practitioners' experience with Dynamic Assessment, if/where you see its place in your own practice, what area of language and literacy assessment you (would) find it useful for, and what materials would be helpful for practitioners to carry out Dynamic Assessment.

Target Audience

Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs), Speech Language Therapists, Teaching Assistants.

Presenters

Wolfgang Mann, PhD, Reader in Special and Inclusive Education, University of Roehampton (London)

Wolfgang specialises in signed language development and assessment. He has developed several tests for signing deaf children including the Web-based BSL-Vocabulary Test (BSL-VT), which is available to professionals via the DCAL Assessment Portal. Wolfgang's other interests include the wider impacts of experiencing a language problem, specifically language development and language difficulties in deaf children, and (sign-) language acquisition & assessment. He has published various articles and book chapters in these areas.

Hilary Dumbrill, Highly Specialised Speech & Language Therapist, Hamilton Lodge School and College, Brighton and Joanna Hoskin, Speech & Language Therapist and Research Fellow at City, University of London.