Assessment

Abstract

Assessment is a vital part of the undergraduate experience, but there are more ways to be effective in gathering data on learning outcomes than just the traditional pencil-and-paper test. Assessment for the undergraduate music major begins well before the student arrives on the college campus in the form of auditions and performance juries. In many cases, this performance assessment begins at an early age. From placement exams to timed quizzes to final exams, college students are bombarded with assignments and tests. There are a multitude of other ways in which to gather information about student understanding, including low-stakes assessments, technology-based gaming, creative and collaborative projects, and even self-assessment. Standards-based grading also helps to shift the focus away from grades to a focus on mastering a set of level skills, which, in turn, gives students more ownership of their learning experiences and less anxiety than with traditional assessment methods.