1. Which of the following scenarios would be the best example of a time when observation would be authentic assessment?
A. A preschooler in the dramatic play area
B. An infant on her first day of child care
C. A toddler on a field trip to a local pumpkin patch
D. A second grader playing outside
2. Which of the following can be observed best by using a checklist?
A. The reasons that arguments start between children
B. The point at which children stand in a developmental sequence
C. The reasons that certain children run faster than others
D. The length of time that certain children are involved in an activity
I'll be glad to check your answers.
1a
2a
1. To determine which scenario would be the best example of a time when observation would be authentic assessment, we need to understand what authentic assessment is. Authentic assessment is a method of evaluating a student's knowledge and skills in real-world situations and meaningful contexts. It involves observing and collecting evidence of a student's performance or behavior in their natural environment.
Let's consider each scenario:
A. A preschooler in the dramatic play area: Observing a preschooler in the dramatic play area can provide insight into their social and imaginative skills, problem-solving abilities, and language development. This scenario might be a good example of authentic assessment as it allows for observation of the child's behavior in a natural and play-based context.
B. An infant on her first day of child care: While it is important to observe infants in child care settings, their first day might not be the most representative time for assessment. Infants are likely to be adjusting to a new environment, feeling anxious or unsettled, and their behavior may not be indicative of their typical abilities or skills.
C. A toddler on a field trip to a local pumpkin patch: Observing a toddler on a field trip provides an opportunity to assess their sensory exploration, social interaction, and curiosity about the natural world. This scenario could also be considered authentic assessment as it allows for observation in a context that is new and engaging for the child.
D. A second grader playing outside: While observing a second grader playing outside can provide insights into their physical skills, gross motor development, and social interactions, it might not encompass a wide range of academic or cognitive abilities that could be assessed in a more structured learning environment.
Based on these considerations, option A - a preschooler in the dramatic play area, seems to be the best example of a time when observation would be authentic assessment.
2. Choosing the best observation method depends on what you want to measure or evaluate. Let's analyze the options:
A. The reasons that arguments start between children: Understanding the reasons behind arguments would require more in-depth qualitative observation, such as note-taking or recording detailed observations, rather than simply using a checklist. It would involve observing and analyzing the children's behavior, conversation, and interaction patterns.
B. The point at which children stand in a developmental sequence: A checklist can be an effective tool for measuring developmental progress and identifying where children stand in a developmental sequence. You could create a checklist that includes various developmental milestones and systematically observe and mark them as you observe each child.
C. The reasons that certain children run faster than others: Similar to the first option, understanding the reasons for variations in running speed would require more qualitative observation rather than a checklist.
D. The length of time that certain children are involved in an activity: Measuring the length of time children engage in specific activities is suitable for a checklist. You could create a checklist with different activities listed, and simply mark the start and end times for each child's involvement in those activities.
Given these considerations, option D - the length of time that certain children are involved in an activity is best observed using a checklist.