THINKING FOUNDATIONS
Judgement
When the command asks you to assess, evaluate, discuss or comment, weigh the evidence, use criteria, include a limit, and decide. Do not add a judgement to a question that only asked you to describe or compare.
1. Everyday example
Everyday: choosing a coat
Waterproof, warm and affordable are criteria. A cheap coat that soaks through fails a criterion that matters in heavy rain. The judgement “buy this one” is only as good as the criteria and the weather you expect. “It is nice” is not a judgement against criteria.
2. A level example
A level: a claim about a trial
“This fertiliser always increases yield” is a claim. Criteria: size of the difference, number of sites, whether other variables were controlled, whether a test was actually supplied. A higher mean at one site supports a limited judgement and does not support “always”. Evaluate needs that decision. Describe does not.
3. Show me
Show me. A judgement that stays the size of one illustrative trial.
- Criterion: the claim says “always”, so more than one site would be needed.
Following the sequence is practice. It is not recorded as mastery.
4. Guide me
Practice question
Guide me. The command is “describe the pattern”. Should you add a judgement?
5. Let me try
Independent transfer. My Progress records this only when the reasoning holds.
Practice question
Let me try. You are told to evaluate a conclusion. Which ending is a judgement rather than a repetition?