Knowing the HOW as well as the WHAT
Studies have identified a significant ‘skills gap’ between what students are currently being taught and the skills employers are seeking in today’s global economy. Our children must be better prepared than they are now to meet the future challenges of our ever-changing world. ` Stephen Covey
Authentic assessments apply activities where students show through demonstration that they “get it”, that they understand. Tests and quizzes measure how much a learner has memorized and well they can regurgitate it (Palloff & Pratt, 2008). For an authentic performance assessment, begin by thinking about what is you want your learner to accomplish. What real world problem do you want them to solve?
For the purposes of this discussion, choose one of two topics: peer assessment or performance assessment. Begin by reviewing information in this week’s Learning Resources. Based on your own experiences, chose and define how that assessment pertains to real life. Is it a real world problem with a real world solution? What do you perceive to be the advantages and disadvantages of the assessment you chose? Is the assessment you chose easily observable? Can it be assessed using authentic assessment criteria? What are some potential advantages and disadvantages of this type of assessment for instructors?
Food for thought: Assessments
• Useful for serious thinking about complex issues
• Useful for customizing learning and making it relevant to learners’ lives and goals
• Can incorporate challenges from current events and multidimensional issues
• Gets learners engaged and involved in real-world issues
• Good preparation for learner projects, either individual or group
• Useful for critical thinking
Post your thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of assessing your chosen topic from the perspective of the instructor and the learner. Propose two strategies, approaches, or guidelines that you consider to be “best practices” for managing and assessing your topic in an online environment. Be sure to cite information from the Learning Resources to support your thinking.
Read a selection of your course mates’ postings. As you read their responses, note those to which you would like to respond with advice, questions, comments, and/or encouragement.
Respond to at least two or more of your course mates’ postings in any of the following ways:
Explain why and/ or how you see things differently.
Ask a probing or clarifying question.
Share an insight from something that interested you in reading your course mate’s posting.
Offer or support an opinion.
Validate an idea with your own experience.
Expand upon or ask for evidence that supports your course mate’s posting.
Return to this Discussion thread in a few days. Read and respond to the responses to your initial posting. Reflect on what you learned in this activity and/or insights you gained this week.
To allow adequate time for responses, please make your initial posting by Wednesday of Week 1, and your responses by Sunday of Week 1.
Please follow this link for the rubric:
The Internet links in this course are provided to you as a courtesy. This site does not own or operate and is in no way responsible for the content of the websites to which you will be directed upon accessing the links. This site makes no representations or warranties as to the sites’ content, does not attest to the accuracy or propriety of any information located there, and does not endorse the sites or information on the sites in any way.
The Internet links in the Resources section are provided to you as a suggestion only. You are welcome to use any blog site you choose as long as your colleagues and the Instructor can access the site.
Blackboard 9.1 – Self and Peer Assessment (Student Instructions). (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved August 15, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv3cDy9gIp0
Boettcher, J. (n.d.). e-Coaching Tip 3: Developing Effective Questions for Online Discussions. Judith V. Boettcher. Retrieved August 15, 2014, from http://www.designingforlearning.info/services/writing/ecoach/tips/tip3.html
Covey, S. (n.d.). Skills Quotes. BrainyQuote. Retrieved August 13, 2014, from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/skills.html
D, K. (n.d.). Authentic Assessment. YouTube. Retrieved August 15, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_gibuFZXZw
Images for Bell Curve Assessment. (n.d.). Bell Curve Chart for Performance Assessment. Retrieved August 15, 2014, from http://www.24point0-slides.com/media/catalog/product/e/d/editable-powerpoint-slide-bell-curve-performance-assessment-chart.jpg
Peer and Self-Assessment: How and Why. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved August 15, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20XYA-T2qms
Performance Assessment: Assessing Know-How As Well As Know-What. (n.d.). Big Picture Personalized Learning One Student at a Time an innovative education alternative News. Retrieved August 13, 2014, from http://www.bigpicture.org/2008/11/performance-assessment-assessing-know-how-as-well-as-know-what/
Week 7 Discussion Thread. (n.d.). Assessing Collaborative Work. Retrieved August 15, 2014, from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Fla