Module 3: Authentic Assessment

Module 3: Authentic Assessment

1. Traditional Assessment: Pros & Cons

   • Pros: benefits of teacher control, demonstrates a knowledge base, compliment Authentic Assessment.
   • Cons: Little opportunity for analysis, synthesis, application, or substantial depth of knowledge demonstration; difficult to tell how students came to an answer because indirect evidence; contrived.
   • Skills/Standards --> Assessment. Shouldn't the product be the emphasis/starting point?
   • Teaching to the test: discouraged because students who learn the test can score better despite no real understanding of the content.
   • "An autoposy."

2. Direct Evidence

   • Allows teacher to track student progress and document specific data.
   • Provides essential data for form tracking of language acquisition AND content knowledge development.
   • Excellent data for NCLB and other documentation.

3. Performance/Task-based

   • Real world application: If our students should be college and career ready, shouldn't their work reflect real-world tasks?
   • Allows for critical thinking and student construction instead of recall / recognition.
   • Student-centered.
   • Requires problem solving and application -- do we want to create a generation of problem-solvers or a generation of cogs-in-a-machine who only recall information?

4. Student Feedback

   • Rubrics make learning goals clear. They also allow students to work within a flexible frame and pull from strengths.
   • Portfolios allow students to directly see development and self-assess their progress on a standard/skill.
   • Rubrics give students specific parameters and understandable goals.
   • Teaching to the test: Showing examples and molding instruction to the test is encouraged because it isn't "cheating" -- it provides models but not answers. Students must still problem-solve and generate genuine products.
   • Opportunities for group projects so students receive feedback from peers.

5. Assessing Content Knowedlge

   • Traditional assessment often rely on understanding of English. It's difficult to tell if a student's success (or lack there of) is due to content knowledge or language proficiency.
     • A student developing English language proficiency can still show mastery of a CONTENT skill in a task-based or oral portfolio because it is not relent on English proficiency and inflexible language requirements.
   • Authentic Assessments test the TRUE application of the content knowledge, therefore highlighting true mastery and success in the field.

6. Instruction + Assessment Combined

   • Instead of an "autoposy" of their knowledge, it is a give and take "living" process.
   • A more organic experience where students receive instruction and feedback as they work on their product. The two are not clearly separated.
   • REQUIRES formative feedback.
   • Scaffolding

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