Student assessments or assignments that have a single correct answer can be scored using a scanning machine or an answer key. However, performance-based tasks are more open-ended and hence you must use your judgment and develop strategies for assessing student learning and performance to produce the desired outcome.
If you are thinking about how to consistently, defensibly, and fairly make a judgment-based evaluation of students' performances and products, here are some valuable insights.
Types of Evaluation Criteria
Criteria are rules or guidelines used for judging student performances, products, and responses. They describe what is the most important factor in a student’s work based on the identified learning objectives. Furthermore, they serve as a foundation tool for evaluating student projects and developing rubrics.
Here are four general categories that can be used to evaluate a student's performance based on the outcomes and standards of the performance task.
1. Content
This criterion is used to check the degree of a student’s understanding of facts, principles, and concepts.
2. Process
This criterion is used to evaluate the proficiency level of the student in terms of process and skill and also assess the effectiveness of the procedures and methods used in the task.
3. Quality
This criterion is used to assess the overall quality and craftsmanship of the performance or product.
4. Impact
This criterion evaluates the overall effects or results of a performance and product given its audience and purpose.
What Are The Criterion-Based Evaluation Tools And How To Use Them?
Once you have identified the key criteria for a given performance, you can now use the targeted standards to create more specific evaluation tools. Here are the four types of criterion-based evaluation tools you can use to evaluate students' performances.
This is a standard and practical tool used for evaluating student performance and it consists of listing the key criteria, sometimes also referred to as a performance list. You can design the criterion list based on the task given; however, here are a few factors to consider.
This rubric offers an overall rating of a student's performance, typically yielding to a particular grade or score. These are well-suited for summative grading and evaluation. However, they do not offer a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of a student's work. Hence, it is considered to be a less effective tool to provide specific feedback to learners.
This evaluation tool also acts as an obstacle for teachers trying to evaluate a complex performance having multiple dimensions. It obscures the important distinctions and if all a student receives are grades or scores then it becomes tricky for them to understand the improvement areas and refine their work in the future.
This evaluation tool divides a performance or product into various traits or elements and then judges each of the components individually. These rubrics are well suited for judging complex performances that involve numerous significant dimensions. This rubric offers more specific feedback to the students and teachers about the highlights of performance and the improvement areas.
This rubric enables students to understand the nature and quality of the work expected and teachers can provide more detailed information and target particular areas of need. Since this evaluation tool considers various traits, the analytics might take a little more time than usual.
The last type of rubric describes development and growth along with a proficiency continuum. This rubric is well suited for subjects emphasizing skill performance. Subjects like physical education, arts; English language, etc fall under the radar of such rubrics.
These rubrics are generally generic and are not tied to any particular age level of a performance task. Teachers across all grade levels can use this for assessment and work towards desired accomplishments.
The Bottom Line
Over the years, evaluation techniques have changed and evolved a lot. Apart from offering numerous advantages for students teachers can reap immense benefits from such evaluation systems. If you are teaching for a long time but are still unable to enhance the quality of student learning, then consider convenient Online and Live Online TEFL Programs in UAE to upgrade your evaluation techniques.
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