CURRICULUM

UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL PHILIPPINES (2001)

SYSTEM

  • University of Rizal System Curriculum Evaluation

  • Topics Covered:

    • Alternative Assessment

    • Human Issues of Evaluation

    • Challenges in the 21st Century

  • Author: Debralyn M. Arriola

Alternative Assessment

  • Defined as methods to measure student knowledge and skills, alternative to traditional tests (e.g., multiple-choice).

Evaluations in Education

  • States and districts striving to align tests with standards.

  • Performance assessment must engage students in real-world tasks.

  • Authenticity in assessments is crucial.

Performance Assessments

  • Involves open-ended tasks that require students to demonstrate knowledge.

  • Example: Writing exercise might not always be authentic if too guided by the teacher.

Comparison of Alternative Assessment and Traditional Assessment

Aspect

Alternative Assessment

Traditional Assessment

Sample

Student experiments, debates, portfolios

Multiple-choice tests, true-false tests

Evaluation Basis

Observation and subjective judgment

Objective scores interpretation

Focus

Individual learning

Comparison with peers' scores

Data Furnished

Allows curricular action

Inhibits instructional action

Portfolios: A Popular Alternative Assessment Method

  • Offers evidence of student understanding over time.

    • Different types include:

      • Showcase Portfolios

      • Growth Portfolios

      • Process Portfolios

      • Cumulative Portfolios

Types of Portfolios

  • Showcase Portfolios: Highlight specific achievements.

  • Growth Portfolios: Visual representation of skills over time.

  • Process Portfolios: Document procedural knowledge.

  • Cumulative Portfolios: Comprehensive collection of a year's work categorized by students and teachers.

Human Issues of Evaluation

  • Students risk being viewed merely as commodities.

  • Standardized tests may not capture the true equity of student experiences.

  • Fairness in evaluation is a key concern: alternative means are explored.

  • Evaluations should encourage collaboration, not competition.

Challenges in the 21st Century

  • Need to critically assess educational focuses amid societal chaos.

  • Emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and Arts.

  • The importance of critical evaluation of accessed information.

  • Gardner's definition of beauty in experiences:

    • Must be interesting, memorable, and inviting for revisiting.

Conclusion

  • Emphasis on nurturing well-rounded individuals through thoughtful evaluation and assessment strategies.