Cycle 3: Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement
"The best classroom assessments also serve as meaningful sources of information for teachers. Assessments provide teachers with specific guidance in their efforts to improve the quality of their teaching by helping identify what they taught well and what needs work."
(Thomas R. Guskey, Ahead of the Curve, 2007 by Solution Tree).
Welcome to Cycle Three of the Professional Learning Module for the implementation of the revised Ontario curriculum document, The Arts, Grades 1-8, 2009. In this cycle, current best practices in assessment and evaluation will be reviewed.
These online activities are the foundation for further professional developmentwhich could take place at future staff meetings and divisional meetings and professional development days at your school.
Activity One : Assessment and Evaluation Quiz
To start your exploration of assessment and evaluation, tryour on-line quiz which will give you an opportunity for self-reflection andevaluation. This quiz is a diagnostic tool which will help you with your own professionaldevelopment and growth.
To begin, click here.
Quiz Results
Perfect score : You have a solid understanding of current assessment and evaluation practises.
Three errors: Review corrected quiz answers for clarification.
More than three errors: Review corrected quiz answers for clarification. Further review of current assessment and evaluation practises is recommended.
Activity Two: Professional Reading
The achievement chart identifies four categories of knowledge and skills in the arts. The four categories of Knowledge and Understanding, Thinking, Communication and Application should be considered as, " interrelated, reflecting the wholeness and connectedness of learning."
The categories, defined by clear criteria, contain arts specific examples such as:
Thinking |
Communication |
Expression and organization of ideas and understandings in art forms (dance, drama, music, and the visual arts), including media/multimedia forms (e.g., expression of ideas and feelings using visuals, movements, the voice, gestures, phrasing, techniques), and in oral and written forms (e.g., clear expression and logical organization in critical responses to art works and informed opinion pieces) |
Expression and organization of ideas and understandings in art forms (dance, drama, music and the visual arts) , including media/multimedia forms ( e.g., expression of ideas and feelings using visuals, movements, the voice, gestures, phrasing, techniques) and in oral and written forms (e.g., clear expression and logical organization in critical responses to art works and informed opinion pieces) |
To learn more about assessment and evaluation in the arts, visit the Ministry website to view the revised Ontario curriculum, The Arts, Grades 1-8, 2008. To begin, read pages 29-35 as you click here.
Congratulations ! You have completed Cycle Three of this Professional Learning Module.
For a summary of key learnings, click here.
For further professional reading on assessment and evaluation click here for the Growing Success- assessement, evaluation, reporting: Improving student learning.