Communicate .. Create .. EdTech

My school is gaining some momentum to better integrate/implement Common Core standards, starting in the fall. The Common Core standards emphasize speaking skills. Here are the relevant 3-5th grade standards, for instance:

• presents ideas in an order that makes sense (CC 3-5.SL.4)
• speaks appropriately for the situation,using formal English when appropriate (CC 3-5.SL.6)
• uses well-produced audio/visual aids or media to add to main ideas and themes (CC 3-5.SL.5)

Clearly, we need to get our arms around appropriate and effective ways to evaluate student presentation skills (also note the tech component of SL.5).

 I recently found some excellent rubrics from the Buck Institute (BIE.org).   In my opinion, BIE is THE leader in the Project Based Learning space (another area we want to address in more depth next year...), and they did not disappoint me with these presentation rubrics. One focus is on the 4 C's of 21st century skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity. BIE is going to have a book out on teaching to the 4C's soon, it appears (no, I get no compensation for writing that).

Here is BIE's 'how to' blog page.. It includes direct links to their rubrics, except for the K-2 rubric, which goes directly to BIE's website. And some worthwhile 'how to' info can be found there as well.

The rubrics concentrate on the presentation effectiveness (voice, eye contact, posture, audience engagement, etc.) , and do NOT cover content knowledge (aka students 'show what they know'). You'll need to add the appropriate components to the rubric to provide a complete presentation assessment. The rubrics DO include references to the standards for speaking, as in the examples for 3-5 above. I think they've done a good job - take a minute to look at the appropriate rubric for your students. I was impressed. What do you think? Do you have anything better? Please share!

Do feed back your thoughts on these rubrics, or others you like, for assessing presentations!