Table of Contents

Exploring Performance Assessments

...

By nature, performance assessments tend to be summative because they typically measure the achievement of intended outcomes. They are best used when you have particular standards that students need to meet, which can range from standards set by an accrediting body for a discipline , to standards set by a university or program , to standards determined simply by the instructor acting as a subject-matter expert. The performance assessment must be designed in such a way as to directly measure whether students are meeting the standards.

...

Here is an example of a performance assessment--in this case, an online wiki collaboration--using the course topic of World War II. In a later section, you will see what other kinds of elements should be included in the directions, such as due datedates, parameters, etc.

In groups, create a wiki that describes the following related to a famous general:

1. The individual's career

2. His involvement

...

1. in important battles

2. An evaluation of the contextual factors that resulted in his success/failure

Choose one of these famous generals for your wiki Wiki project:

• George Catlett Marshall, Jr.

• Georgy Zhukov

• Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel

• Chester William Nimitz

• Karl Dönitz

• George Patton

• Douglas MacArthur

• Bernard Law Montgomery

• Yamamoto Isoroku

• Dwight David Eisenhower

• Hermann Göring

• Earl Mountbatten

...

Palloff and Pratt (1999) recommend these seven basic steps in designing collaborative learning environments:

1. Clearly define the purpose of the activity.

2. Create a distinctive gathering place for the group.

3. Promote effective leadership from within.

4. Define norms and a clear code of conduct.

5. Allow for a range of member roles.

6. Allow for facilitating of subgroups.

7. Allow members to resolve their own disputes.

OPTIONAL: If you wish, read any of the following for sound considerations and ideas:

...