Product-Oriented Performance-Based Assessment

Product-Oriented Performance-Based Assessment

Introduction to Performance-Based Assessment

  • Assessment in education is a crucial topic today, leading to interest in performance-based education.

  • Performance-based education focuses on connecting learning to students' lives through relevant tasks.

  • Emphasizes assessment of actual performance through products (projects, work demo).

  • Interchangeable terms: performance-based assessment, authentic assessment, alternative assessment.

  • Alternative evaluation methods compared to traditional methods (journals, checklists, portfolios, rubrics).

Product-Oriented Learning Competencies

  • Student performances are defined as targeted tasks leading to a product or learning outcome.

  • Products showcase specific skills:

    • Communication Skills: Reading, writing, speaking, listening.

    • Psychomotor Skills: Physical abilities for specific tasks.

    • Behavior Expectations: Complex task achievement.

  • Rubrics: Used to evaluate student performance related to final products or outcomes.

Levels of Expertise in Products
  1. Beginner Level:

    • Is the product complete with minimum expected parts?

  2. Skilled Level:

    • Does the product have added features beyond minimum requirements?

  3. Expert Level:

    • Is the product aesthetically pleasing along with meeting all expectations?

Example Projects and Competencies

  • Geometry Project: Cardboard cubic prism

    • Minimum: Correct dimensions (5" x 5" x 5")

    • Skilled: Sturdy construction from durable cardboard

    • Expert: Pleasing appearance with color enhancements

  • Scrapbook for EDSA I:

    • Minimum: Contains key images and clippings

    • Skilled: Includes student remarks/captions for characters

    • Expert: Complete, informative, and visually attractive presentation

  • Typing Class Output:

    • Minimum: 5 spelling errors or fewer

    • Skilled: Correct format with 5 errors or fewer

    • Expert: Readable and presentable with appropriate formatting

Task Designing

Factors to Consider:

  • Complexity: Task must match students' abilities.

  • Appeal: Projects should interest students for engagement.

  • Creativity: Encourage diverse presentation methods.

  • Goal-Based: Project aligns with a learning objective.

Example of Task

  • Paper Folding Activity: Used to teach geometry concepts of plane and solid figures using colored paper, promoting hands-on learning.

Scoring Rubrics

  • Definition: Descriptive scoring frameworks guiding evaluation of products or processes.

  • Used for judging quality of various activities (essays, projects).

  • Criteria Setting: Identifying major and minor criteria affecting assessment quality.

    • Major Criteria Examples: Quality, Creativity, Comprehensiveness, Accuracy, Aesthetics.

Example of a Scoring Rubric
  • Major Criterion: Professional Report Draft

    • High Quality: Easy to follow, effective transitions, professional format, clear graphics.

    • Adequate: Basic transitions, structured format, minimal distractions.

    • Needs Improvement: Poor organization, inadequate information flow.

Reliability and Objectivity

  • Holistic rubrics ensure objectivity by standardizing assessment quality across evaluators.

  • Important for grading essays, group projects, and presentations across subjects.

Authentic Assessment Beyond Rubrics

  • Checklists: Alternative for evaluation, focusing on specific criteria.

  • Benefits of rubrics: Clarify evaluation process, offer feedback for improvement.

Development of Scoring Rubrics

  1. Identify qualities and attributes to measure.

  2. Decide between holistic or analytical rubric formats.

  3. Define performance progression from minimum to expert levels.

  4. Ensure descriptors focus on outputs rather than subjective judgments.

  5. Test reliability through cross-evaluations.

Resources for Teachers

  • Various online resources available for developing scoring rubrics for K-12 and higher education sectors.

  • Example sources: State of Colorado, Chicago Public Schools, Kathy Schrock's Guide, and ERIC Clearinghouse.