Example Technology Performance Assessment Task

Task # 1	Newsletter
Grade	7
Content Area(s) Integrated	Visual Arts
Unit Title/Theme	Careers in Art
Task Developer/Author	Mary Lou Massucco

1.Setting the Context

The theme of this unit resulting in a newsletter is identifying careers in visual arts. The information gathered will be directly tied to units studied in Art class. Students will be looking at ways the arts influence the local community and how to identify skills needed to be successful in an arts related career. Students will research careers to find out what the potential occupations might be. The task will be divided into smaller components to be worked on throughout the semester.

2. Grade Expectations

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 and key with speed and accuracy (e.g., 30 words/min with 90% accuracy)

• Using digital tools to capture images and other information (e.g., temperature, light, sound, etc.) and import them into a computer.

• Saving documents in multiple formats (e.g., .doc, .jpg, .pdf, .rtf, source and txt)..

IT2 - Social, Ethical & Human Issues

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

• Applying copyright and fair use guidelines in student work.

• Explaining the accuracy and relevancy of the content

• Comparing and contrasting information found on the internet for relevancy, accuracy, and reliability.

Visual Arts

A7-8:17 Students show understanding of how the arts impact

life by…

· Modeling skills of different arts careers through classroom work or community experiences.

· Identifying career pathways in the arts and the skills needed.

3. The Performance Task

The students will research art careers and the skills needed for employment with area businesses. Students will interview employers regarding job opportunities. The interview will be in the form of a letter with a questionnaire regarding art related careers.

Using local artists/teachers as resources, students will develop a layout for a newsletter that will document their findings.

Goal: Design a newsletter with text and photos to illustrate the skills and training necessary to lead to an art related career.

Role: The student will research art careers and decide which careers might be successful in the local community considering the types of opportunities available.

Audience: The newsletter will be sent to the instructor (with the possibility of creating a brochure). The information will be used to present career awareness in the classroom.

Situations: The local Chamber of Commerce is looking for good publicity emphasizing the creative economy and the search for talented workers to fill positions in the local economy. A newsletter/brochure illustrating the abundance of opportunities for artists/artisans would help make this connection to local businesses.

Product/Performance: Newsletter

4. Activities

Introduction:

· Students will be given the task to write a newsletter with photos and images to relate job opportunities/careers connected to the Arts. Guest speakers who are graphic artists would present examples to demonstrate the qualities of good design.

Research:

· Students will brainstorm their ideas for arts related careers and make a list of every possibility.

· Students will do internet research using Boolean logic for occupations in the arts. They will find relevant information describing skills and the education requirements. Compare and contrast results from different search engines.

· Create a questionnaire that can be sent to local businesses for information regarding employment opportunities. Students will use the information to cite examples of art related jobs.

.

Create the newsletter using word processing or desktop publishing to produce a professional document. Include the following:

· Select 3 different jobs and write a description. Use grammar check

· Use a visual organizer to present research relating skills to the job

· Import object such as a photo

· Modify the image ( resize, crop, flip, rotate, select, copy, and paste)

· Import an illustration

· Create a table

· Design logo with graphics tablet

· Proper techniques including keyboarding and formatting

· Document resources as required. Check for accuracy and relevancy

· Save images in various formats

Send the newsletter as an attachment to the instructor. Include the file format in your message.

5. Materials and Resources

Teacher selected web sites

Chamber of Commerce – email for list of businesses

Rotary – email for list of businesses

Graphic Artists as guest speakers

Digital Cameras to take pictures of artists at work

Computers in the classroom (3 minimum)

Graphics Tablet

Photoshop software

Printers

6. Criteria

Grade Expectation	Introduced	With Assistance	Met the Standard
Basic Operations
Using effective keyboarding: --posture (i.e., back straight, body leaning slightly forward, etc.) --techniques (e.g., eyes on monitor or copy-not the keyboard, etc.) --attitudes (e.g., willingness to change habits, persistence and diligence and key with speed and accuracy (e.g., 30 words/min with 90% accuracy)
Using digital tools to capture images and other information (e.g., temperature, light, sound, etc.) and import them into a computer.
Saving documents in multiple formats (e.g., .doc, .jpg, .pdf, .rtf, source and txt)..
Social, Ethical & Human Issues
Documenting sources of information obtained through electronic resources using acceptable formats
Applying copyright and fair use guidelines in student work.
Explaining the accuracy and relevancy of the content
Comparing and contrasting information found on the internet for relevancy, accuracy, and reliability.
Productivity Tools
Manipulating styles and formats (e.g., headers, footers, borders, page breaks, tabs and margins, multiple columns, text boxes) linking text blocks, span multiple columns, masthead).
Using spell check, thesaurus and grammar check.
Creating a table
Importing/Inserting objects from other sources
Selecting and using a draw or paint application appropriate for the task.
Modifying a digital image using flip, rotate, resize, crop, select, copy and paste
Selecting and saving images in the appropriate format (e.g., jpg, tif, gif)
Illustrating a variety of relationships, ideas and topics (e.g. cause and effect, Venn diagram, organizational charts, flow chart).
Importing an illustration .
Linking an element to appropriate files and URL(s).
Communication
Attaching a file to an email message and noting in the body the file format.
Research, Problem Solving & Decision Making
Comparing and contrasting: directories, search engines, and meta-search engines.
Implementing a search strategy using Boolean logic (e.g., and, or, not, near).
Visual Art
Modeling skills of different arts careers through classroom work or community experiences.
Identifying career pathways in the arts and skills needed

7. Checklist:

Activity list for students to keep track of their progress