Peer assessment can be a valuable learning tool in teacher education because it supports student teachers to acquire skills that are essential in their professional working life. This article presents a conceptual framework in which the training of peer assessment skills by means of peer assessment tasks is integrated in teacher education courses.…

The relative effectiveness of explicit instruction, guided discovery, and discovery learning techniques in enhancing anticipation skill in young, intermediate-level tennis players was examined. Performance was assessed pre- and postintervention, during acquisition, and under transfer conditions designed to elicit anxiety through the use of…

Constructivism is the theory that people learn by constructing meaning through interpretive interactions with the social environment. Constructivist perspectives are a growing influence among educators seeking to help students connect learning with life experiences, making constructivism highly relevant to vocational and career educators. This…

Student Progress Monitoring (SPM) offers an effective and time-efficient way for teachers and administrators to make informed instructional decisions and quantify students' rate of progress. SPM differs from traditional standardized tests in that it involves administering short tests (typically one to five minutes) frequently, usually one or more…

The relationship between changes in the scores from Maryland's performance assessment program, the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP) from 1993 to 1998 and classroom instruction and assessment practices, student learning and motivation, students' and teachers' beliefs about and attitudes towards the assessment, and school…

This study attempted to provide insight into the condition of one Mississippi school district that has engaged in a comprehensive effort toward instructional improvement centering around performance task instruction by examining how teaching with performance units affects several aspects of the instructional program. In the district studied, the…

Examines evidence supporting performance-based instructional models. Describes a conceptual model for understanding the alterable elements and outcomes of the classroom instructional environment and analyzes the relative fit of the conceptual model in comparison to two different alternative models. Results support a conceptual model that includes…

Recent research documents students' misconceptions about key math and science ideas, parochial views of history, and tendency to reduce complex literary works to stereotypes. To improve understanding, learners should focus on activities asking them to generalize, find new examples, and apply principles thoughtfully. Teachers should pursue…

Discusses changes to the Victoria, Australia, senior secondary school system curriculum. With a focus on information technology, elements of the Victorian Education Ministry program are defended, including the use of checklists to evaluate student work, authentication/verification of student work, external evaluators, and support of nontraditional…

Considers the real authenticity of performance-based assessments, exploring their relationship to pedagogical practices that address ethnic and linguistic diversity. Describes an effort to transform English instruction and assessment in ways that draw on the cultural funds of knowledge of African-American students. (SLD)

Rooted in behavioral theory, particularly the radical or selectivist behaviorism of B.F. Skinner (1953, 1954, 1966, 1968, 1974), the direct instruction (DI) approach to teaching is now well into its third decade of influencing curriculum, instruction, and research. It is also in its third decade of controversy. Our purpose is to present the DI…

The role of performance assessments in making cognitive activity apparent to teachers and students was studied through descriptions of the cognitive activity of 31 fifth-grade students. Differences while carrying out a science performance assessment reveal critical differences between those who think and reason well with their knowledge of…

This book is intended to introduce the classroom teacher and prospective teacher to the elements of measurement and assessment that are essential to good teaching. The main theme is that assessment plays an important role in the instructional process. This edition has been revised to reflect major changes in educational assessment since the last…

Describes a laboratory activity "Observing Reactions in Solution." The activity can be used either as a laboratory or as a performance assessment for a high school chemistry class. (PR)

Contends that accurately and appropriately assessing the progress of young children's literacy development is challenging. Presents examples of authentic performance assessment teachers could use to document skills, including checklists, anecdotal notes and observations, videotape, audiotape, and work samples. Offers advice on selecting and…