Dec 13, 2015
Enhance Your Curriculum with
Performance Based Assessments!
Enhance Your Curriculum with
Performance Based Assessments!
Amy Ficarello - [email protected] Ficarello - [email protected]
At the end of this session, you will...
be able to incorporate performance-based assessments into your existing curriculum
understand how performance-based assessments can lead to better student involvement and motivation
The “Traditional” Language Classroom(in the past - P21 Map)
Teacher-Centered Class
Students learn about the language (grammar)
Emphasis on teacher as presenter/lecturer
Testing to find out what students don’t know
The “Traditional” Classroom PeriodStudent
Engagement
Teacher-Centered
Bell-Ringer HomeworkVocab/Grammar/Culture
Explanation
Activities
AssignHomework
Traditional Classroom Assessments
Vocabulary & Grammar Quizzes requiring mostly fill-in-the-blank or short answers
Chapter Tests which may include a listening and/or reading section that is multiple choice, along wiht a writing prompt that gives students the specific phrases they must use in English
Once in a while, a Speaking Test where students talk to the teacher and know questions ahead of time
Role-Plays that are written out and sometimes memorized, to be performed in front of the class for kicks
Homework points for completion, making up more than 10% of the overall grade
Daily “Participation” Points
The Performance-Based Classroom
Learner-Centered with teacher as facilitator
Students learn to use the language
Focus on three modes: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational
Assessing to find out what students can do
The “Performance-Based” Classroom PeriodStudent
Engagement
Teacher-Centered
Bell-Ringer
Speaking Reflection
Introduction/Reviewof a Function
SkillsPractice
Discuss previous
day’s homework, if time permits,
assign homework
Performance-Based Classroom AssessmentsQuizzes requiring skills, perhaps along with vocabulary/grammar checks
Chapter Tests which include all four skills/modes weighed equally
An Interpersonal Speaking Assessment
A Presentational Speaking Assessment
Writing that is an authentic task, such as an email
Practice is weighed no more than 10% of the overall grade
Yeah, but...
They need to know...
My students can’t do that...
That’s going to be too much work.
I don’t know how.
Negativity out!
You can and you will!
Step OneWhat do you want students to be able to do?
✓ Speak...
✓ Look at your Textbook
Chapter Objectives!✴ I can describe family members.
✴ I can describe past events.
Step TwoAssess current materials.
How may quizzes are available already & what do they assess?
What do the Chapter Tests look like - are they skills-based?
Are the speaking and writing assessments real-life tasks?
Step ThreeChange the assessments!
Formative Assessments
* How often are you checking & practicing skills?
Summative Assessments
* Are they testing grammar and vocabulary knowledge?
Example Quizzes‣ Listening Quizzes
- 3 per Chapter
- 5 points each
- Questions are in English
Usually on Thursdays
Example Quizzes‣ Reading Quizzes
- 3 per Chapter
- 5 points each
- Questions are in English
Usually on Wednesdays
- Use authentic texts when possible
Example Quizzes‣ Vocabulary/Grammar Quizzes
- 2 per Chapter
- 10-15 points each
- Pick out most important words/concepts
Usually on Fridays
Example Quizzes‣ Writing Quizzes
- 2 per Chapter
- 8 points each
- Make it a real-life task, such as an email
Usually on Fridays
Interpersonal Speaking‣ Give a real-life situation
- meeting a new person
- conversing with a friend- if it is a restaurant, you should play the
waiter!
Usually on Thursdays
Interpersonal Speaking
Usually on Thursdays
‣ Students do not write anything down
‣ Assign students randomly
‣ Practice with multiple partners/roles
‣ Have them record while class does something else
Presentational Speaking‣ Give a real-life situation
- giving a presentation
- recording a message
- making a podcast for an L2 school
Usually on day of Chapter test
Chapter Tests‣ Include only the FOUR skills
- NO grammar/vocabulary blanks/short answers
- embed culture or do a cultural reflection
- weigh everything equally
Listening & Reading Portions‣ Questions should be in English
- Try to refrain from all multiple choice
- try to use Realia
- Usually 2-3 sections each
Writing Portion‣ Usually 1 prompt
- may give students a choice from 2 prompts
- always put them in the situation - You are...