How might I structure class assignments to allow for variety in demonstrating knowledge?
I am able to engage most of students in art class from projects by using interesting art materials and
subject matter I think they will like. Some students don’t like to write their thoughts for reflection or need help; I’d like those students to be able to reflect in a way that uses writing to practice skills, but also has a new way to demonstrate their learning. I want the students to help set up the choices for formative and summative assessments of assignments. The assessments could include writing, video,
podcast, animation, etc. Ideally I would include collaborating teachers, and a small group of students in creating lessons and assessments of learning.
subject matter I think they will like. Some students don’t like to write their thoughts for reflection or need help; I’d like those students to be able to reflect in a way that uses writing to practice skills, but also has a new way to demonstrate their learning. I want the students to help set up the choices for formative and summative assessments of assignments. The assessments could include writing, video,
podcast, animation, etc. Ideally I would include collaborating teachers, and a small group of students in creating lessons and assessments of learning.
Coming up with creative ways to assess art formatively and summatively is a very noble endeavor. Because of the innate tendency for art to be visual, most teachers assume that is the only way that students to show their work in art. I love that you are keeping in mind student learning styles, interests, and talents to think outside the box on what art can look like (and how to assess it). Having a subset of teachers and a small sample of students help create and give advice is a great place to start. Could you use a Google Drive Form to survey students on their learning styles and interests to get started? Are there any art muses in academia today that have ideas of new forms of art and ways to use technology to develop art? To assess art? Just like technology is changing, art may be too. Are we able to anticipate ways students will be designing and developing projects 10 or 20 years from now? –Val D.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas, Val. Yes, art is changing. Maybe 5% of the students I teach in my entire career will become artists. About 8 years ago, I suddenly realized that integrating art and tech is valuable, because the students will be using some form of tech for the next couple of years.
ReplyDeleteTheresa it's nice to see you again. I'm very interested in the direction you are going in your search of assignment structure that adjust to student understanding. I too have a quest to see what adaptive techniques I can use to support my reading curriculum. I will be watching to see what thoughts you have on the formative assessment and using the technology.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the integration of art and technology in your practice!
ReplyDeleteOur Art teacher has the students do writings about their art work too. Some of them seem to take forever to do their writings. He has to get them to come back to his room at recess. He posts them in the hall with the artwork. I think it would be great if they could use other media for their writings. My art teacher doesn't have a white board or a smart board in his classroom. He has a chalk board and one computer.
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