1. The Performance Task as an alternative assessment mode: By Mary George Cheriyan Pedagogical Research Lab Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) Singapore (RGS PERL) Presented at the Hong Kong Annual Gifted Education Conference, 20 may 2010 - RGS’ journey

2. The Big Picture: Understanding Assessments What’s the purpose of assessments? Should the assessment mode offer a ‘snapshot’ or ‘photo album’ of the student’s learning?

3. Pagoda Street Singapore

4. The Singapore album

5. The Performance Task as an alternative assessment mode Definition How is the PT different from a research project? What is the value-addedness of the PT compared to a pen and paper assessment mode? Vignettes

6. 1. Key Understandings The Performance Task enables pupils to create evidence of their understanding through real world application of their learning. A professional teacher harnesses a repertoire of strategies to cultivate critical thinking and engagement with the content.

7. Implementation of the PT in RGS Rationale Training Guidelines on designing PT

8. Sample PT: Biology Year 3 Biology Year 3 Social Studies Year 3 Geog Yr 2

9. What are the factors that have enabled the PT to be implemented schoolwide in a sustainable manner? Whole school training -Uniform template adapted from the AAC- used across all disciplines -Induction for new teachers Supervision -Role of a ‘custodian’ -Vetting by the Curriculum Heads and the Director of Academic Studies

10. Complements the pen and paper mode 2010 ff Schoolwide research conducted by RGSPeRL Consultancy services by RGSPeRL

11. Benefits of the PT at RGS Spirit of curriculum innovation Demonstration of creative and/or personalised expressions of understanding Real world simulation

12. Challenges Consistency of standards: need to have an unwavering attention on quality design Demands on time Inter-rater reliability

13. PT workshop conducted by RGSPeRL Date: July 1-2, 2010 Venue: Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) Contact: RGSPeRL@rgs.edu.sg Website: www.rgs.edu.sg