Effective Performance Tasks

            Do your performance tasks provide a valid measure of the targeted understanding?  Here are some examples to explore.  What would the learning goals be for each?  Would these be worthy of the time and effort involved?  Would they lend themselves to evaluation with a rubric?  Let's discuss.

•    Assume the role of an advisor to President Johnson during the Viet Nam Conflict.  Write (or demonstrate in a presentation) a recommendation as to whether he should send in more troops or withdraw troops from the conflict.  Support your recommendations with examples of facts and historical documents.
  

• Write a 10 minute script (or perform or film a 10 minute skit) for a TV documentary about President Johnson.  Include the most important milestones of his career.
  

• Build a Diorama of the Viet Nam War.  Include the most important generals and advisors.

        Indicators of Valid Performance Tasks

• The task can only be accomplished well by students who have the desired understanding.

• The task will be performed poorly by students who lack the desired understanding.

• The task calls for students to thoughtfully apply their understanding.  It requires flexibility and good judgment as opposed to plugging information into a formula.