Assessing Achievement with the ELL in Mind: Key points of Unit 5
Note 2: ELL = English language learner. The corresponding acronym used elsewhere on this site is ESL student = English as a second language student. [ More ]
Unit 5: Project Based Assessment with the ELL in Mind
Project-based learning
Project-based learning (PBL) offers students the opportunity to engage in solving authentic, real-world tasks that demand communication and collaboration and foster higher-level thinking skills.
Points to note:
- Well-organised projects give ESL students multiple opportunities to contribute to the successful completion of the various tasks and outcomes, irrespective of their English proficiency.
- Research shows that PBL reduces anxiety and increases positivity among engaging in it. This is important for ESL students who often suffer stress in more traditional mainstream classrooms.
- Many of the tasks comprising a project will need scaffolding in order to make them manageable by students with as yet low English proficiency.
More on project-based learning
A page from Edutopia with an introductory video and numerous links to articles covering all aspects of PBL. One article is specifically about Supporting ELLs in PBL Projects.
Supporting ELLs through Project-Based Learning
A good video overview of how PBL benefits ESL students.
What Research Says About Project-Based Learning
A good overview from the ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). In its conclusion it states: "These studies suggest that project-based learning, when fully realized, can improve student learning. However, the research also underscores how difficult it is to implement project-based learning well."
Structures interdisciplinary project
This page elsewhere on this site has a description of an interdisciplinary project initiated by an art teacher.
Also on this site is a page which includes links to articles about scaffolding theory, as well as many examples of how to scaffold using the Smartboard.
Assessment of PBL
Project-based learning offers multiple opportunities for using various assessments to evaluate both the process and the product of the unit.
It is important to communicate the learning objectives to the students at the outset. These will include what the students should know and be able to do at the conclusion of the project, as well as what a good 'product' will look like. As well as content-based skills, students should also be told which project or collaborative skills will be needed and assessed - such as the willingness and ability to give substantive feedback to peers in a team.
PBL commonly culminates in a reflection or self-assessment of the success of the project and the various tasks to complete it.
Points to note:
- You may wish to include the language objectives by which the ESL students will be assessed. These objectives can include the vocabulary and structures needed for successful collaboration in teams or for the successful completion of a written project or presentation.
- Rubrics are a typical method for the summative assessment of a project, and can be readily adapted to provide achievable criteria for ESL students.
More on PBL assessment
Top Ten Tips for Assessing Project-Based Learning
An excellent, comprehensive resource from Edutopia with clear advice on how, when and why to assess PBL. (.pdf)
Project Based Learning and Assessment: A Resource Manual for Teachers
A full-length book focusing specifically on developing projects with the ESL student in mind.
The 5 Best Free Rubric Making Tools For Teachers
Links to five websites that make it easy to create every type of rubric.
Using Rubrics as a Useful Tool in Learning
A useful overview of the value of rubrics, with a summary of eight rubric types.