04/01/2022
By Lizzie Casanave

The School of Education invites you to attend an Ed.D. Dissertation Defense by Martha Parinussa Flynn on “Findings from A Teacher Learning Community: How Teachers Use Formative Assessment to Improve Teaching And Learning.”

Date: April 15, 2022
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: This will be a virtual dissertation defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact Johanna_Tigert@uml.edu to request access to the Zoom link.

Dissertation Chair: Johanna Tigert, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Dissertation Committee:

  • Phitsamay Uy, Ed.D., Associate Professor, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Ann Dean, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
This qualitative research examined Adult Education teachers understanding of the role of formative assessment that will improve their instruction, and the strategies and techniques teaching English as a second Language. The researcher employed a Teacher Learning Community (TLC) model that focused on conversations involving all participants and interviews with individual participants. Supported by Mezirow’s Transformative Learning theory this research guided participants in exploring new ways of teaching and learning that evaluated the quality of their formative assessment. The qualitative data from the research included participants’ reflections from the TLC meetings and their input during a one-on-one interview with the researcher. Various themes emerged from the data that affirmed the effective use of a TLC to support participants in their formative assessment as well as the impact TLCs had on participants’ learning. Analysis of the data further showed evidence that teachers complied with the collaborative aspects of a TLC model and allowed for transformation of their instruction to unfold. Based on the findings, recommendations were made to justify the effectiveness of TLCs to improve participants’ use of formative assessment. Implications and suggestions for future research were discussed.