Ball State University / College of Fine Arts / School of Music  / Spring 2004

 

MusEd 620: Assessment Techniques in Music Education

 

Instructors / Information (classes meet Tuesday, 6:00-8:40 P.M.)

 

Dr. Frederick Burrack

                        MU312; Office hours : as posted or by appointment

                        email: fwburrack@bsu.edu

                        Phone: 285-5405 or 285-5400 (School of Music)

 

Course Description:

Assessment techniques for music aptitude, achievement, and preference. Emphasizes authentic assessment techniques, developing teacher-made tests, and available standardized music tests.

 

Course Objectives

á      Identify various forms of assessment

á      Explore application of assessment techniques into a music classroom

á      Develop assessment components

á      Write an article for publication focused on assessment learnings

 

Required Materials

 

á   Wiggins, G. (1998). Educative assessment: Designing assesssments to inform and improve student performance. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. (ISBN:0-7879-0848-7)

á   Farrell, S. (1997). Tools for powerful student evaluation. Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Meredith Music. (ISBN: 0-968982-0-7)

 

Recommended Reference

 

á      Colwell, R. (Ed.)(1992). Handbook of research in music teaching and learning. New York: Schirmer. (MT1.H138 1992).

 

Note: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office location and hours are listed on the first page of this syllabus.

 

 

 

 

 

Expectations:

Attendance: Attendance is a required component of this course. Two points will be deducted from your final grade-point total for each class absence. Check your schedule for the entire semester and notify me of any possible conflicts, including rehearsals and performances, as it is your responsibility to foresee conflicts and avoid missing class.

 

Class Participation: You will be evaluated on the quality, quantity, and appropriateness of oral contributions to this course.  Be ready to discuss reading assignments during class. You should make notes on the reading, citing appropriate page numbers.

 

Assignments:           Research Paper                           40 points

                                 Project                                        40 points

                                 Quizzes                                      20 points

                                 Exam Questions                         10 points

                                 Examinations (2)                       

                                      Mid-Term                              30 points

                                      Final                                      30 points

                                 Attendance/Participation             30 points

                                      Includes class presentations, participation, and online activities

 

                                 Total Possible                         200 points

 

                                 A      =       186-200 points         (94-100%)

                                 A-     =       180-185 points         (90-93%)

                                 B+    =       174-179 points         (87-89%)

                                 B      =       168-173 points         (84-86%)

                                 B-     =       160-167 points         (80-83%)

                                 C+    =       154-159 points         (77-79%)

                                 C      =       148-153 points         (74-76%)

                                 C-     =       140-147 points         (70-73%)

                                 D+    =       134-139 points         (67-69%)

                                 D      =       128-133 points         (64-66%)

                                 D-     =       120-127 points         (60-63%)

                                 F       =          0 - 119 points        (  0-59%)

 

Assignments must be completed in a timely manner.  Late Assignment Policy: Any assignment turned in will have a 10% deduction for each day late. Please note: Medical and family emergencies, and personal disability issues that result in absences and/or late assignments will not effect your final grade if you have discussed this with me.

 

Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty policies govern the formal procedures for handling cheating, plagiarism, destroying someone elseÕs work, or abetting any of these acts (see ÒCode of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student Academic Ethics PolicyÓ. Plagiarism or violations of copyright policies are a form of academic dishonesty and are treated as an ethics violation. You are expected to research and learn from existing material but also to give credit to itÕs source.


Assignment Descriptions:

 

Research Paper:                                                                               

Prepare an article for submission to the Music Educators Journal, Update, or another research journal. Your familiarity with these publications will greatly assist you in developing your research writing style towards these differing audiences.

 

We will discuss numerous possible topics during class. Choose a central issue from this course and write at least a five-page (double spaced) paper in which you (a) state the issue, (b) summarize the main points relating to this issue, (c) discuss its implications for music and/or music education, and (d) suggest means of addressing the issue pointing out how you apply the issues involved to a classroom. Actual requirements will follow the published criteria for article submission in MEJ, Update, or the selected journal. A reference page must be included. You must hand in both a hard copy (print out) and a soft copy (blackboard drop box). Upon final approval by me, you will submit this paper to the appropriate journal for publication.

 

 

 

Project:

This project is a study of specific interest, including the creation of an assessment or testing instrument to educate and improve student performance in music. You will create a report that includes the following:

 

a)     A description of the topic, with a brief history and definition

b)    Identify and survey the underlying premise

c)     Explain how this premise transfers to music learning situations

d)    Classify and discuss music-related research

e)     Strengths of solutions and relevance to music

f)     Related problems that remain unresolved

g)    What else is relevant that you consider important?

h)    How does any/all of the above relate to your readings and class discussion in this course?

i)      What implications are there for music learning and teaching?

 

This project will be presented in class.  Prepare an oral, multi-media presentation for the class. Include brief handouts for your classmates.

 

Quizzes:

Short quizzes will be given in class covering the information in the chapters.

 

Exam Question Development:

You will develop 3 exam questions of various formats covering the topics of each chapter and the class topics.

 


Schedule of classes and topics

 

Date of the class   Topic                                           Due Date                          Assignment

                                                                                                                        W=Wiggins

                                                                                                                        F =Farrell

January 13

Course overview

Discussion of Assignments

A Vision of Assessment

Researching with Technology

 

W: Chapter 1

January 20

Ensuring Authentic Performance

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 2

F: Chapters1,2

January 27

Providing Ongoing Feedback

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 3

February 3

Promoting Student Understanding

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 4

F: Chapter 3

February 10

Standards and Criteria

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 5

February 17

Individual Performance Tasks

Midterm Review

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 6

F: Chapter 4

February 24

Project Discussions

Midterm Exam

 

 

March 2

Midterm Discussion

Scoring Rubrics

Research Paper DRAFT Due

W: Chapter 7

F: Chapter 5

March 9

Portfolio as Evidence

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 8

F: Chapter 6

March 16

No Class (Spring Break)

 

 

March 23

Examples of Authentic Assessment

3 Exam Questions

F: Chapter 7

March 30

Curriculum and Instruction

Research Paper Due  3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 9

April 6

Grading and Reporting

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 10

April 13

Teaching and Accountability

Project Presentations 3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 11

April 20

Feasibility: Real and Imagined

Project Presentations 3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 12

April 27

Next Steps

Final Exam Review

3 Exam Questions

W: Chapter 13

May 3

Final Exam 6:30