Assessing Creative Assignments
Being a design instructor has many challenges when trying to assess a student's progress the class. Traditional tests are not applicable to this type of learning experience as it is all projects based that have be assessed on both quantitative and qualitative values.
Quantitative values are easier to assess such as completion of requirements, clarity of presentation, neatness of graphics, etc..
Qualitative values are harder to assess as this can be seen as subjective judgement of a student's creative expression in their project.
I have have found that producing a graphic matrix of all theses criteria and using a scale of 1 to 5 (low to high) in grading each category can help a student visually relate to the values to how the project was evaluated.
Alexander,
I also am a Graphic Design Instructor. As you said, the easy part of assessment is grading the point values given in the rubric of the assignment. So many points for research and thumbnails, so many points for initial "planning", (here's the "nebulous zone") so many points for creativity, software proficiency, and last but not least-Final Preparation and Presentation.
Having been in all aspects of the design/prepress/production/web and email programs, etc. I realize that I am the only person who can determine if they met my criteria according to my objectives, the course objectives, and what I have taught them.
If I have a student who I feel I am not able to be totally objective with their assessment, that's why I have a Program Director.
I made a positive decision to teach. I have many years of experience that I want to pass on.
I do not want to be an administrator, I want to be an instructor and teach what I have learned during my career. If I do that and I hold to my personal ethics, I am reaching my goal.
Ned
