Artisanal Assessment

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Artisanal Assessment

architecture-1851117__340Artisanal refers to skilled craftsmanship that results in functional products such as furniture, tote bags, and tools. In this way the artisan constructs beautiful objects that are also practical.  Artisanal assessments blend the purpose and process of assessment in ways that meet the needs of students, classrooms, and schools. Here are four ways to make assessment both practical and beautiful. 

Spectrum
Like colors of the rainbow, assessments come in all types, from standardized tests to analysis of a project, product or performance. Sometimes it is necessary to get the right answer such as when calculating your discounted price. Other times, it is more important to be able to explain how you came to your conclusions or provide an analysis of alternative solutions. In addition to selected choice and completion, let students annotate their answers, offer choice boards, and include opportunities for self-correction.   

Functional
Clarity of purpose guides decisions about assessment. Are you seeking cumulative growth of a cohort of students or one student’s increase in language fluency? Assessments are intended to display evidence of learning over time on multiple outcomes. Thus, consider using blueprints to ensure that assessments align with instructional aims. Keep in mind that diverse levels of the taxonomy; sorting, making connections, and generating new ideas all rely on different assessment methods.  

Beneficial
Assessment is intended to inform instructional decisions. What’s the point in knowing that your cupcakes didn’t rise if you don’t understand the different types and actions of leavening agents and how to resolve the problem? Ask why, what if, and what else, to illuminate student thinking in informative ways.

Shared
Beautiful objects are designed to be enjoyed by others. These assessments engage learners, display a panorama of learning, and illuminate the starting point, progress, and outcomes. When it is visible it becomes actionable. Conclusions to learning show not only final scores, but growth and mastery along the path of learning. 

Next time you think about assessment, think artisanally. Ask students to explain their learning to a Martian, let them track their own progress with a “Learning Trackers” or chronicle their learning path from “I used to think, now I know, but I’m still confused about”. Purposeful and engaging technologies include GoFormative, ExplainEverything, Padlet, Coggle. Enjoy these videos on Tech Tools for Assessment and on formative assessment from Teaching Channel to learn more about blending technology with beautiful assessment.

 

 

 

 


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