Assessment Strategies

Assessment strategies for the visual arts and music

1. Portfolios: This is a strategy for assessing visual arts and music. Portfolios are important in that they analyses students progress through processfolio which involves revision, drafts and edits. The technique focuses on students’ accomplishment throughout the curriculum (CCSESA, 2008).  Portfolios are important in that they provide accurate performance with respect to student’s work and students gain self-evaluation.  However, it has disadvantages in that extra time in preparing the assessment system is needed. It is also difficult to gather the work samples and data.
2. Observation: Teachers use observation to track progress and to research the students’ visual art and music. Advantages of observation are that accurate data is collected and the research results are precise. There is no bias and it is easy to identify problems. However, it has advantages in that a lot of time is required in studying and observing the visual art. Observation cannot provide a complete answer and observer actual presence is unknown (CCSESA, 2008).
3. Performance: In this strategy, students are required to demonstrate their skills for teachers to understand the skill acquisition. Performance assessment in music and visual arts concentrates on products and performance. The strategy is important in that through observation, it is possible to measure the knowledge and ability in real-world setting (CCSESA, 2008).Teachers gain enough information and assesses whether the targets have been hit or not. However, this strategy is time-consuming, it involves complex process and multiple steps are required. The technique requires subjective judgment and teachers are unable to distinguish between poor, good and excellent scores (CCSESA, 2008).
4. Self Assessment: This is a useful strategy where students get the opportunity to evaluate the work and ensure it meets the personal goals. Self-assessment can be done through interview and this can help students to improve judgmental skills and through self-evaluation, they will develop learning progress and be responsive (CCSESA, 2008).  However, the process of self evaluation increases the workload and there is a risk of presenting inflated and unreliable grades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

CCSESA  (2008). (California Country Superintendents Educational Services Association). Art Assessment

Resource Guide.  San Diego County Office of Education.

Retrieved from: http://ccsesaarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/AssessmentToolkit.pdf