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 Return to Eduscapes 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. ThinkQuest Rubric Project-based Learning Rubric HyperStudio Rubric HyperStudio Project Rubric Web Project Rubric General Project Rubrics Cactus Menu / Task / Activities / Tools / Resources / Communications / Implementation / Evaluation / Sharing Return to Eduscapes Created by Annette Lamb, 02/01.