Assessment
Assessment is the method by which educators gather information about student performance to inform their teaching practice. Assessment practices aid the process of certifying student achievement of content standards as set forth by the state's Learning Results or local standards.
- Constructed Responses-fill in the blank, short answer, label a diagram, show work, represent learning through web, concept map, flow chart, graph or table, matrix, or illustration
- Products-essay, research paper, log or journal, lab report, story or play, poem, portfolio, art exhibit, model, video or audiotape, or spreadsheet
- Performances-oral presentation, dance or movement, science lab demonstration, athletic skills performance, dramatic reading, enactment, debate, musical recital, or keyboarding
- Process-focused-oral questioning, observation, interview, conference, process description, “think aloud”, or learning log
One tool for assessing student work is a Rubric.
Using Rubrics to Assess Learning
"A rubric is a particular format for criteria – it is the written version of the criteria, with all score points described and defined. The best rubrics are worded in a way that covers the essence of what we, as teachers, look for when we're judging quality, and they reflect the best thinking in the field as to what constitutes good performance. Rubrics are frequently accompanied by examples (anchors) of products or performances to illustrate the various score points on the scale."
Scoring Rubrics in the Classroom by Arter & McTighe
Rubrics may be either holistic or analytical but are still made up of these two components: Traits and Levels.
Traits: Criteria concerning what counts in the areas of understanding, organization, details, mechanics, vocabulary and others as selected by the evaluator.
Levels: Varying degrees of quality such as good to poor, meets or exceeds standard
Resources:
The language of rubrics- glossary of terms
http://www.rubricbuilder.on.ca/learn.shtml
Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators –Assessment Rubrics with an annotated list to over 1600 sites
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/assess.html
Chicago Public Schools Performance Assessment Ideas- bank of standards, lessons and standardized test prep.
http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Assessments/Ideas_and_Rubrics/Rubric_Bank/Use_the_Bank/use_the_bank.html
Promote planning.
- Plan backwards: i.e. start with your outcomes. Ask teachers what information skills they would like to focus on.
- Design a research guide that can be used on many types of projects.
- Offer to create that research guide that complements the content handouts.
- Be positive and enthusiastic about teachers' ideas.
- Start with one faculty or group and build success.
- Ask teachers to rate your collaboration using the Collaboration Continuum Rubric.
- Provide teachers with the Chapter 127 guidelines on research skills.
Personal Professional Development
- Get comfortable creating rubrics and authentic assessments.
- Be involved in the leadership of your school.
Other Strategies
- Develop Information Literacy Standards based on the Maine Learning Results. (See examples)
- Get on the planning committees for any major exit exhibitions that involve research and promote information literacy skills as outcomes.
|
