Engaging Assessments

I never imagined in my teaching career that I would see engaging and assessment used together in the same sentence. In fact, if you use the term assessment with any student or teacher in today's educational landscape you will undoubtedly cause shakes and shivers. That is why engaging assessment is so revolutionary - build assessments that immerse students in learning.

From the very beginning of our conversations, Josh and I discussed creating high level, rigorous educational content that students would commit to without force. If you read my last blog you know the four components that are necessary for students to learn at high levels (Clarity, Formative Assessment, Student Self Assessment, and Feedback). If you can wrap all of these things nicely in Engagement and Design (see Phil Schlechty and the Schlechty Center) you are close to the educational Holy Grail. 

Here is our first attempt: Figurative Language Quest. This is a game simulation that Josh designed around the figurative language components (Metaphor, Simile, Alliteration, Personification, Pun, Onomatopoeia, Idiom, and hyperbole). The student engages in eight different battles with various creatures in a far away medieval kingdom. The student must answer three questions, each progressing to a higher depth of knowledge, before winning the quest. Each level tracks the progress of players and displays it on the screen for teachers and students to view. Each level has an option to view a complete power point for remediation. When the student feels comfortable with new knowledge they can return to the quest and complete the level. It truly combines formative assessment, clarity, student self assessment, feedback and packages all in an engaging simulation.

 Too good to be true?  Check out the trailers below and see what you think!

  

What do you think? We would love any comments and feedback.