FAEA Winter 2010 Meeting Digital Portfolio Assessment Kim Letellier, Music Team Leader Los Alamos Public Schools February 4, 2010

Introduction Current Goals Contribute to a digital portfolio to capture multimedia assessment of student instruction in music. Good assessment tool for final project to determine exit skills. Improve cross-district uniformity of instruction and achievement. Present focus on technology in the music classroom Third year for mobile labs in music classrooms

Getting Started Started as a desire to use GarageBand in the music classroom (inspired by teacher in-service) Good tool for teaching elements of music. Good assessment tool for final project to determine exit skills. Compatible with district technology resources Provided to 5 th and 6 th grade at all 5 schools (~600 students)

Tools of the Trade Hardware computer with GarageBand and server access student headphones for each computer recording equipment CDs for burning final copies Software: Basic knowledge of GarageBand GarageBand jam pack – optional

Teacher Implementation Individual site implementation Used GB to introduce elements of music (structured exploration) Established familiarity with software Introduced mechanics needed for creative expression Exchange of creative projects via team meetings Assessment Rubrics developed for final project (includes peer evaluation)

Rubric Example

Classroom Integration One-on-one laptop initiative. 6 th graders use computers to archive their work – class work, reflections, projects, special events. GarageBand projects will be part of their final classroom portfolio.

Lessons Learned Rewards: Student creativity Digital media resonates with “social electronics” Facilitates cross district comparisons Challenges: Tech support Consistency across district Critical Needs: Individual computer stations

Future Plans Continued utilization of initial technology investment Expand use to younger students Grades 3-5 Working towards cross district rubric consistent with music curriculum Encouraging all site teachers to submit music projects to portfolio