EdTech 542 - Key Principles of Assessments

This week we focused on planning assessments for our PBL projects. According to McTighe, there are seven principles for developing performance assessments. How my PBL project addresses these principles are described below.

1. Establish Clear Performance Targets. The assessments I have planned for PBL: A Nuclear World are based on specific TN state standards. Each lesson has a clear target presented to the students in student-friendly terms.
2. Strive for Authenticity in Products and Performances. The assessments are student-centered and for the most part students are not confined to only one way of showing mastery of content. Student choice provides motivation for the student to show mastery in the way they feel most comfortable, giving them confidence in the task. However, to motivate the student to try a more than one method, the project rubric gives top scores for variety.  
3. Publicize Criteria and Performance Standards. Students should have no questions as to what the criteria and performance standards consist of. Rubrics are constructed for all performance assessments and are provided online for all students to access at the beginning of the project. 
4. Provide Models of Excellence. In order for students to perform at a high level, they should be given examples of project assessments that show the same. 
5. Teach Strategies Explicitly. As we go through each lesson involved with the project, I will teach strategies that will assist students such as researching, writing, webpage design, brainstorming, as well as reflection.  
6. Use On-Going Assessments for Feedback and Adjustment. Students will be provided feedback by both teacher and peers throughout the project. Students will also be given opportunity to reflect and improve upon their project tasks.  
7. Document and Celebrate Success. As students complete their project tasks, students that have demonstrated exemplary work shall have their work posted and commendations given. Students that may not have demonstrated exemplary work, but great improvement will also be given praise for their effort. At the end of the project students will also have a finished product they can call their own; an accomplishment that is tangible and that they may use again in the future if they wish.