Evaluating the project
 
There are many elements in evaluating a classroom project. Before you begin developing instruments, identify the levels of achievement. Be specific and focused. What do the words exemplary, acceptable, and minimal mean? Do they translate to high school students as "way sweet", "sweet", and "unsweet"? Consider the SMART approach including ideas that are Specific, Manageable, Achievable, Reliable, and Targeted. Start by exploring projects and rubrics developed by others such as this High School Government project.
 
Don't just think of assessment as something done at the end of a project. Consider ways to conduct formative assessment throughout the project including student self-assessment, peer-assessment, and even teacher-assessment. Learn from these experiences and revise materials as needed. Explore existing assessment tools such as this one on Planets.
 
Assessment Considerations
As you develop assessment, focus on the task not the student. Focus on the message in the visual, fonts used, background selected, and sound quality. Be sure to evaluate the entire process, not just the product. This includes preparation, product, and presentation. The ThinkQuest project contains an excellent rubric. Try looking for each of the following evaluation areas in the winning ThinkQuest project called Rat Tales.
 
 
Cactus Menu
Task
Activities
Tools
Resources
Communications
Implementation
Evaluation
Sharing
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Preparation
Preproduction Plan
  • Purpose & audience clear
  • Outline, storyboard, chart
  • Varied information resources
  • Reflection & drafting
Product
  • Content knowledge
  • Text elements
  • Image elements
  • Voice/sound elements
  • Design of communication
  • Interactive elements
Content Knowledge
  • New learning
  • Meaningful information
  • Accurate, relevant, complete
  • Focus with details
  • Sources correctly cited
Text Elements
  • Good word choice
  • Expressive, detailed, original
  • Few technical errors
  • Reflects grade level mechanics
Image Elements
  • Significant contribution
  • Relevant
  • Insightful
  • Choices appropriate for content
  • Accurate
  • High technical quality
Voice/Sound Elements
  • Significant contribution
  • Relevant
  • Insightful
  • Choices appropriate for content
  • Accurate
  • High technical quality
Design of Communication
  • Consistent visual theme
  • Layout has balance/structure
  • Fonts are readable/consistent
  • Good use of space/color
  • Transitions effective
  • Overall design appeal/ease use
Interactive Elements
  • Linear Pathway
    • PowerPoint Presentation
    • Videotape
  • Multiple Pathways
    • HyperStudio
    • Web Project
Interactivity of Communication
  • Rather than moving from screen to screen users:
  • make choices
  • solve problems
  • contribute to the project
System Design
Flow of communication
  • Closed communication
    • computer and user only
  • Open communication
    • web links, email expert,
    • use lab equipment, quiz
Participatory Elements
  • Email link or guest book
  • Add a comment or idea
  • Ask for images or data
  • Involve in quiz, case, game
  • Does involvement make sense?
  • Does the request match need?
Navigation
  • User Orientation
    • Main Menu, Table of Contents
  • Movement
  • Multimedia Elements
  • Links to External Resources
Repetitive Participation
  • Encourages revisits
  • Project evolves
  • Interaction
    • Threaded discussions
 
Presentation
  • Sharing or discussion
    • Setup of computer area
    • Oral presentation
    • Ease of use
 
 
Cactus Exploration
 
Explore the Frog Project and rubric.
 
Use the following websites to locate rubrics that can be used in project evaluation. Compare and contrast these tools and develop your own.

Cactus Menu / Task / Activities / Tools / Resources / Communications / Implementation / Evaluation / Sharing
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Created by Annette Lamb, 02/01.