In the past we lived in a simpler time where the premise of education was to prepare the youth for jobs in industry and factories ; simple rote memorization and archaic assessments filled the need . However , our contemporary world demands contemporary education , which changes our foundational elements . Although we still value the mastery of the original three R ’ s , we have progressed into an era where the four R ’ s : Reach , Rigor , Research , and Readiness fulfill the fundamental purpose of 21st century education .
Putting the Performance in Performance Task explores the 4 R ’ s by guiding teachers through the creation and implementation of Performance Tasks . We are no longer asking students to demonstrate mastery , solely with a paper pencil test . We are involving computerized assessments , constructed response , stimuli-based multiple choice , and yes , the Performance Task .
The Performance Task involves stimuli , process , and product . Stimuli can come in the form of readings , video clips , audio clips , graphs , and / or charts . For the purpose of creating arts-friendly performance tasks , teachers can also include musical compositions , paintings , photographs , notation or motif writings of dance , sculptures , et cetera . Process refers to the process by which students will complete their task . The task begins with questions to guide research , navigates through comprehension , and finally simulates an Internet search . Product is the final task at hand , which can come in the form of performance , essay , report , story , script , speech , et cetera . Although the assessment consortiums have included the product of performance , how a performance should look in an assessment arena has not been clearly defined , however , it does provide many opportunities for the arts .
The assessment ’ s purpose is to integrate knowledge and skills , while measuring a student ’ s understanding , research skills , analysis , and ability to provide relevant evidence . The task requires students to plan , write , revise , and edit , for a real-world situation .
** This piece is excerpted from the book Putting the Performance in Performance Task by article author Typhani Harris . This book walks educators through this process by placing a heavy foundation in Arts Integration and how the Arts play a pivotal role in preparing students for Performance Tasks .
Putting the Performance in Performance Task is now available on Amazon . com . Typhani Harris is a dance educator and mentor teacher who has been on the boards of both the California Association for Health , Physical Education , Recreation , and Dance ( CAHPERD ) and California Dance Education Association ( CDEA ). Recently , she has made a cross-country move and is now an instructional coach in Brooklyn , New York . Having begun as a high school English teacher , it has been her mission to bring theory and research into the traditional dance class , and in 2009 she won the Music Center ’ s Bravo award for excellence in Arts Education . Typhani is currently on a mission to help teachers Stop Teaching and Start
Reaching their students , check out the unTeacher Lab at stopteaching . org
STEAMed Magazine
47
July 2016 Edition