Assessment is a very important part of
project-based learning. With planning ahead of time and lots of practice, you
can take advantage of assessment opportunities throughout the project and not
just at the end. Formative assessment will allow you to create more
opportunities to know what your students are thinking and understanding so that
you can better facilitate successful learning. Paying attention to different
types of assessment will also broaden your thoughts on how exactly it is this
project works. A complex project requires multiple assessment methods, ranging
from formal to informal evaluations.
Technology can be a great way to support a
wide range of assessment activities. The project planning stage will give you
an opportunity to design tools to help assess student progress, such as a
rubric. Scoring rubrics help you focus on specific categories including content
knowledge, discrete skills, or dispositions. They also help you focus your
attention on desired outcomes and help communicate learning goals and levels of
accomplishment to students. Effective project management involves minimizing
risks, but also maximizing opportunities.
I think assessment throughout an activity is important as well! Rubrics can most certainly be very helpful in assessing students. However, would you use rubrics for formative assessment or just summative? I could see maybe a checklist for formative assessment but as far as an actual rubric I think that would be better for Summative!
ReplyDeleteIts important that you noted that formative assessment in general creates more opportunities for you to know our students learning abilities and comprehension of the material. I also think that allowing yourself and your students to focus on the desired outcomes so there is no lack of communication if theyre constantly being assessed.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to incorporate formative assessments during lessons or projects, as you noted. It will allow you to clear up any misunderstandings and leaves room for more learning during the lesson or project. I also agree that rubrics can be a way to communicate learning goals and desired outcomes of the students!
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