ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

Overview of Principles

Assessment refers to the collection of data providing information about a learner's performance and achievement. How are educators to determine if their students have created and participated in a high quality debate?

Here are some principles to keep in mind in answering this important question:

• Evaluation is the judgement made on the basis of assessment.
• Sound judgement comes from, among other things, the appropriate use of a variety of assessment tools and the setting of clear targets for students.
• Marks and grades should be based on clear criteria. Students are more likely to attain a goal they can see.
• Criteria should be clearly connected to outcomes and expectations. With complex outcomes such as a deep understanding of a Great Question, it is important that you assess both understanding of the issues and the ability to weigh arguments, cite evidence and draw conclusions.

Criteria for Analysing Positions on an Issue

Can students either in a written or oral report:

• identify an issue over which there is disagreement?
• identify the positions taken on the issue and the reasoning behind each position?
• separate evidence from opinion and bias in the positions taken on an issue?

Criteria for a Sound Argument

Can students either in a written or oral report:

• present a final position on the issue?
• support that position with an argument based on evidence, recognising that evidence is information which is relevant, accurate, and important?
• consider ideas from both original positions?
• offer sound reasons for supporting some arguments and rejecting others?
• conclude with a restatement of the final position?

Assessing Students in Controversy Teams

One of the challenges of group work in classes is assessing the contributions and achievements of each individual in the group.

Here are some suggestions for assessing student understanding of a Great Question when using the Creative Controversy discussion model:

• can identifying different perspectives on issue raised in team discussions
• exhibits debating skills, including listening to and respecting positions of peers
• presents clear argument based on evidence (i.e. Great Questions articles or other data)