Musical Assessment and Professional Productivity with Technology

Formative Assessment

"The goal of formative assessment is to allow the teacher and student to adapt their learning approaches to better achieve learning goals." (Bauer, Music Learning Today, pg. 133) Most student's dread tests and quizzes but they are an essential part of the learning process. This fear most likely stems from the misuse/abuse of the assessment process. Often, assessments have been given too much emphasis or outweighed other educational tools. Nonetheless, assessments give both students and teachers a clear understanding of what learning has actually occurred. The Mid-continent Research for education and Learning states that the feedback of assessments should be 1) corrective in nature, 2) timely, 3) specific to a criterion, and 4) some feedback can come directly from the student. As teachers, we often forget that these assessments are as much an evaluation of our teaching as they are of our student's learning.

Authentic Assessment

To the degree that the assessment is valid, it must be authentic in what it is asking. When it comes to music, an authentic assessment of a learned skill must require the student to perform that skill not simply describe how the skill is supposed to be performed. Authentic assessments provide "direct evidence of a student's skill and understanding of a learning outcome." (Bauer, Music Learning Today, pg. 133) Certainly, in a music theory class there is a need for students to be able to write what a Perfect 5th looks like beginning on C4. But when choral or instrumental students are assessed on their understanding of what a Perfect 5th sounds like, the evaluation must be based on their performance of that interval.

Technology for use in Assessment

One of the quickest ways to assess learning is through a test or quiz. Utilizing Google Forms, teachers can digitally create a media rich assessment. These assessments can combined elements of both written and authentic assessments through the use of embedded mp3s and videos. Additionally, through the use of Flubaroo, an online grading script add-on to Google forms, teachers can automatically grade the assessments. For performance based assessments tools like Audacity, Garage Band, or even a simple audio or video recording application on a smartphone can be utilized. Students can record their performance and email the recording to a teacher for evaluation.

Blogs, wiki's, ePortfolios and presentations can all be useful assessment tools, allowing students to demonstrate performance knowledge through engaging in music. In a cumulative assessment, ePortfolios are an especially robust way of presenting the breadth of knowledge acquired during the duration of a course.

Assessment Management

Learning Management Systems or Course Management Systems are great ways to store the assessment information for quick retrieval and inquiry. These systems allow students to have access to assignment descriptions, grading rubrics and, once completed, feedback for how they performed on the assessment. Flubaroo's "email" feature helps disseminate grades automatically, a useful tool for keeping students informed.

Professional Development

Developing a personal learning network (PLN) is key to ongoing professional development. The ability to hone in on information distributed through the internet that is applicable to your area of study is crucial. Social networks, social bookmarking and RSS feeds all assist in clearing out the noise and focusing on areas of interest. This can be essential when developing TPaCK strategies.

Data Management & Communication

Google offers a wide range of online services that assist in creating content, managing the data and communicating with others. Google Drive is their online storage and document creation service where you can create spreadsheets, posters, flyers, newsletters, presentations and documents. They are all free, but be sure that when you share them your permissions are set to your liking. Google sites are free websites that can be utilized by students and teachers to create ePortfolios, Webquests and other websites. Google Calendar allows you to share a calendar and embed that calendar in a website.

There are other popular data management solutions. Dropbox allows you access to files across many different devices including phones and tablets. You are also able to collaborate and share folders and files without having to email the files. Microsoft Skydrive and Apple iCloud also offer similar data creation and management solutions.