Resources
The "School of the Future" (grades 6-12) describes "authentic assessment" as involving performances that are 1) real-life, 2) engaging for learners, and 3) requiring synthesis and critical thinking. Narrators situate "authentic assessment" in the context of "backward course design."
A comparison of traditional ("forced-choice") assessment and authentic (performance-based) assessment. "Teaching to the test" ceases to be a problem when the test involves the performance of meaningful tasks that provide evidence of the understandings desired.
A guide to the creation of assessment rubrics, including ways an instructor might improve existing rubrics in light of experience. Describes the elements of a rubric (descriptors, levels of performance), and the difference between analytic and holistic rubrics.
By the Carnegie Mellon Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation. This page briefly describes assessment rubrics and explains their value for teachers and for students. Several examples are offered (in *.doc file format), including those for paper assignments, projects, oral presentations, and class participation.
A well-organized collection of assessment rubrics for critical thinking and problem-solving. These include instructor assessments and self-assessments. Also valuable for fostering faculty discussion of critical thinking.
A multi-part exposition of constructivism, with special attention to the roles and practices of the teacher and learner in a constructivist classroom.
An online workshop on constructivism. Includes overview, history, critical perspectives, expert interviews, demonstration, and more.
Helpful, brief list of teaching strategies. Addresses why and how to use inclusive teaching strategies in the college classroom. Highlights potential benefits
Discusses issues in coping with religious diversity in the classroom. Suggests confronting students’ assumptions regarding religion; strategies for countering resistance; and finding benefits of diversity.
Provides suggestions on how to improve scores on IDEA item #16 relating to sharing with others who are different or whose viewpoints are different. Gives background on this item and other similar items; identifies tips for classroom engagement; addresses issues relating to online learning; and identifies assessment issues.