Example Technology Performance Assessment Task

 

Task # 1

Written Report with Graphics/Illustrations

Grade

5

Content Area

Science/Writing

Unit Title/Theme

Sea Turtle Report

Task Developer/Author

Claire Reczek/Cindi Roberts

 

Setting the Context

            This task is part of a month long 5th grade multidisciplinary unit on the study of the human threats to the World’s Sea Turtle population. Students will watch and participate in an interactive program on the eight threats to the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Population. Students will design and paint batik turtle drawings, adopt a turtle from the Turtle Survival League and track their turtle’s movement online throughout the school year.  Additionally, they will find other documented sources of threats to the sea turtles. Students will compare carapace (top shell) size of their turtle and use data to create a math graph.

The purpose of this task is to have students create a written report with graphics and/or illustrations that includes the eight human threats to the World’s Sea Turtle population and how to help protect the sea turtles.

2. Grade Expectations/Standards

Technology

IT1 - Basic Operations & Concepts

·        Using effective keyboarding:  

o       posture (i.e., back straight, body leaning slightly forward, etc.)      

o       techniques (e.g., eyes on monitor or copy-not the keyboard, etc.)

o       attitudes (e.g., willingness to change habits, persistence and diligence

IT2 - Social, Ethical & Human Issues).

Documenting sources of information obtained through electronic resources using acceptable formats.

IT3 - Productivity Tools

·        Embedding an original piece of art, applying text wrap and resizing.

·        Adding non-textual elements (e.g., arrows, lines, shapes, etc.).

·        Manipulating styles and formats (e.g. header, footer, borders, page breaks, lists).

·        Using spell check, and thesaurus

 

 


 

Content/Science

 

Natural Resources

S7-8:49

Students demonstrate their understanding of Processes

and Change within Natural Resources by…

 

Identifying a human activity—in a local environment—

and determining the impact of that activity on a specific

(local) natural resource.

 

 Writing: Reports

W5:8 In reports, students organize information/concepts by…

• Using an organizational text structure appropriate to focus/

controlling idea

 

W5:9 In reports, students effectively convey a perspective on a

subject by…

• Stating and maintaining a focus/controlling idea (purpose) on a

Topic

 

W5: In reports, students demonstrate use of a range of elaboration strategies by…

• Including facts and details relevant to focus/controlling idea, and

excluding extraneous information

• Including sufficient details or facts for appropriate depth of

information: naming, describing, explaining, comparing, use of

visual images

Reports, Research

 

3. The Performance Task

 

Student will communicate through a written report the eight threats to the World’s Sea Turtle population caused by the activities of humans. Included in this report the students will embed two pictures– one drawn in a paint application and the other imported from a scanner or digital camera.

 

GOAL:  Write a Science Report to communicate the human impact on the population of the World’s Sea Turtles.

ROLE:  Expert- presenting evidence in a written report documenting the threats to the world’s sea turtle population caused by humans.

AUDIENCE:  School community &  World Wide Web

SITUATION:

Scientists at the Turtles Survival League have noticed the world’s sea turtle population is decreasing at an alarming rate.  The scientists need help making the public aware of causes of this decrease in the world’s sea turtle population. Your investigation, reporting and publishing on the World Wide Web will help educate the public and reverse this negative trend.

PRODUCT: Written Report with Graphics/Illustrations

 

4.  Activities

  The students will watch and participate in an interactive program (Nova: Interactive Laserdisc) on the eight threats to the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Population. Teacher will post turtle reports on the school web page.

1. The student will research information on the human impact of the turtle population for one species of sea turtle. (selected by the student) examples- Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Green… After finding three relevant sources of information on the Internet they will bookmark and select the information and save to a folder to be used in writing their report. Students’ footnotes and Bibliography will demonstrate their understanding of fair use.

2. Using a paint program, the student will paint an original picture of their species of sea turtle.

3. Using information gathered, students write a report (using proper keyboarding techniques) on the computer including an original piece of art, applying text wrap and resizing. Students will add non-textual elements (e.g., arrows, lines, shapes, etc.) and manipulate styles and formats (e.g. header, footer, borders, page breaks, lists).  Students will use spell check, thesaurus and modify a digital image using flip; rotate, resize, crop.

 

5. Materials and Resources

Caribbean Conservation Corporation- Sea Turtle Survival - www.cccturtle.org/

Sea Turtle Restoration Project: News Room- www.seaturtles.org

Nova Science- Sea Turtle Mystery

Internet access

Classroom library including picture books and non-fiction books on Sea Turtles

Digital Encyclopedias

Specialized CDS

Interactive: Nova

 

 

 

 

 

6. Criteria/Rubric

 

Grade Expectation Technology

Not Met

Meets

Exceeds

IT1 - Basic Operations & Concepts

·         Student uses effective keyboarding:  

o        posture (i.e., back straight, body leaning slightly forward, etc.)      

o        techniques (e.g., eyes on monitor or copy-not the keyboard, etc.)

attitudes (e.g., willingness to change habits, persistence and diligence).

 

 

 

IT2 - Social, Ethical & Human Issues

·         The Student Documents sources of information obtained through electronic resources using acceptable formats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT3 - Productivity Tools

·         The student has…

·          embedded an original piece of art, applying text wrap and resizing.

·         Added non-textual elements (e.g., arrows, lines, shapes, etc.).

·         Manipulated styles and formats (e.g. header, footer, borders, page breaks, lists).

·         Used spell check, and thesaurus.

·         Modified a digital image using flip; rotate, resize, crop

 

 

 

Content

Grade Expectation Science

 

Not Met

Meets

Exceeds

Natural Resources

S7-8:49

Students demonstrate their understanding of Processes

and Change within Natural Resources by…

 

Identified 8 human activities that threaten sea turtles

 

 

 

 

Determine the impact of those activities on the world’s sea turtle population.

 

 

 

 

Writing:  Writing Rubric

Criteria

Score Point 5

Exceeds the Standards

Score Point 4

Accomplished Writing

Score Point 3

Intermediate Writin

Score Point 2

Basic Writing

Score Point 1

Limited Writing

Score Point 0    Unscorable        There is no evidence of an attempt to write a report.

 

Unscorable

 

PURPOSE, STANCE

VOICE/TONE

(Controlling Idea)

 

·          Evidence of gathered information

·          Analysis of a situation followed by a suggested course of action

·          Prediction of possible outcomes of a situation

·          Appropriate stance

·          Anticipation of reader needs

_______________

 

ORGANIZATION

AND COHERENCE

·          Appropriate patterns: chronological;historical; specific to general; general to specific; causal; sequential; other, appropriate for specific report

·          Overall coherence

________________

 

ELABORATION STRATEGIES, DETAILS

·          Using specific, concrete strategies

·          Comparing, contrasting

·          Naming, describing

·          Reporting conversation

·          Reviewing the history

·          Explaining the possibilities

·          Creating a scenario

 

 

Meets all the criteria listed in score point 4 and uses strategies not always thought of for reporting information – e.g., personal anecdotes or dramatization impart information in an entertaining way.

 

Precise use of language conveys intent clearly and concisely.

 

The writer may reflect on the significance of the information.

 

Shows an exceptional awareness of readers’ concerns and needs.

 

May demonstrate an unusual pattern or framework in which to embed information.

 

The writer is extremely selective in presenting information, including relevant material and excluding that which would clutter the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sense of purpose stated strongly or implied, unifies and focuses the report.

 

 

Shows a clear sense of direction appropriate to its purpose.

 

 

Stance is that of a knowledgeable person presenting relevant information (voice & tone).

 

 

 

Context is clear throughout.

 

__________________

 

Organized in a pattern or framework suited to purpose, audience, and context.

 

Strong overall coherence and balance; uses transitions. Tight construction without extraneous material.

 

Compelling opening, strong informative body, and satisfying conclusion (organization).

 

__________________

 

Uses a variety of elaboration strategies effectively and appropriately; cites references as needed.

Details are relevant to the topic, purpose, and audience.

 

Provides depth of information.

 

States controlling idea/focus but may not use it effectively to unify report.

 

 

Shows evidence of having a general rather than a focused purpose in presenting information.

 

Stance is that of a person who has a desire to convey gathered information but sense of audience is vague (voice & tone).

 

Establishes sufficient context.

 

__________________

 

Generally uses a predictable pattern.

 

 

 

 

Has overall coherence; uses some transitions.

 

 

 

 

Clear beginning, middle, and end; may provide considerable information.

 

 

__________________

 

General information, not well supported by concrete examples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some information may be irrelevant.

 

Defines subject with a simple statement rather than controlling idea/focus.

 

 

Conveys a lack of evident purpose.

 

 

 

 

May be a monotone (voice & tone).

 

 

 

 

 

 

May offer little context.

 

_________________

 

Usually shows an organized plan but may have digressions.

 

 

 

Has general coherence, stays on topic but may show weak transitions between paragraphs or sentences.

 

May have a lengthy opening and abrupt closure; may present random bits of information.

 

_________________

 

Relies on general rather than specific details. May use irrelevant details, often presented in a list.

 

 

 <