Types of Assessment Methods

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Poster

What is a Poster?
Poster is the process of showing the content and the findings of a topic to an audience or a group of audiences at different times. It is often used to assess student learning in group research projects. Peer and tutor assessment can be used as part of the grading process.

Structure of Posters
Poster assessment usually involves a topic for the student to research and present on a poster. Although question and answer sessions are uncommon, students are sometimes requested to stand by their posters to explain their findings. Poster assessments are expected to be brief and attractive.
A good poster usually expected to have the following two characteristics:

  1. Good contents
  2. Good and clear visuals

Y Declarative
Y Functioning
  Take Time to Set
Y Take Time to Answer
  Take Time to Correct
  Take Time to provide Feedback
Y Suitable for Large Class
Y Can substitute with Computers
  Passive
Y Active
  Process Oriented Method
Y Product Oriented Method
P = Possibly    Y =Yes

Advantages of Posters
  • Poster assessment encourages creativity.
  • Poster assessment is short and succinct. This would require the students to think distinctively and select the important factors that need to be shown. The ability to summarize is important.
  • Poster assessment can be assessed by peers at different times even without the presence of the creator.
Disadvantages of Posters
  • It is important for the assessors to state the assessment criteria explicitly, the students need to know if the content of the material is part of the criteria and/or the method of presenting the poster is part of the criteria. If students are to be assessed on different aspects (such as creativity skills or presentation skills on the posters) other than the content, they should be given the opportunity to learn about and practice those aspects before being assessed.
  • Students may overspend their time on the visual effects, and not on the actual content. Tutor and peer assessors may also be affected by these effects and overlook the meaningful ideas behind the topic.
How to design a good Poster Assessment?
  1. Ensure the students know what the primary objective of the poster assessment is.
  2. Let the students know if they are required to be around for poster explanation.
  3. Let students know the assessment criteria and marking scheme, the students should also be aware of who is going to assess them - tutor, peers and/or self? And if peers or themselves are going to assess, would the weightings be the same as the tutor's assessment?
  4. Prepare a structured marking sheet for all assessors.

Marking Rubrics
Below is a sample of marking rubrics for Poster assessment: (From the University of Ulster, Faculty of Computing and Engineering IT Resources, The International Community of Teachers of Mathematical Modelling and Applications.)

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA COMMENTS
CONTENT OF POSTER
States the problem clearly  
States the problem succinctly (or concisely) Student has summarised the essence of the problem, rather than merely restating it.
Outlines the solution  
Describes the model Student has considered all relevant facts and information. Student has explained critical assumptions and relationships. Student has made sensible and appropriate use of personal knowledge and experience.
States the mathematical problem Appropriate mathematics, tools and resources have been brought to bear on the problem.
Reports on mathematical solution Mathematics used is correct. Mathematical terminology is correct. Description of mathematical methods is succinct.
Reports conclusions Conclusions are related to the modeling assumptions. More and an answer is produced. Model is used to describe, explain or make predictions about the phenomenon under consideration.
PRESENTATION
Designs the poster logically Layout is logical and easy to follow
Uses different fonts effectively Headings are bold. Highlighting is used when appropriate.
Uses illustrations effectively Illustrations are necessary ant sufficient to aid understanding of the text.
Produces an aesthetically pleasing poster  
Text is concise Overall presentation is of agreed size. Uses English language correctly.
Demonstrates understanding of project through discussion Optional - depends on the primary purpose of the poster and the nature of the poster session.

GRADING STANDARDS
Below is a sample of rubric for Poster assessment: (From Recipe for Success, accessed 02 July 2008
http://myt4l.com/index.php?v=pl&page_ac=view&type=tools&tool=rubricmaker)

MARKING RUBRICS Excellent Proficient Average Poor
Content-Overview:
Information about the topic		 Had many details about the topic. All details were correct. Had many details about the topic. A few details were not correct. Had few details about the topic. Some information was not correct. Work was not about the topic.
Writing-Creativity and Originality:
Writing is creative		 Writing had many creative details that made the reader want to learn more. Writing had three or more examples of creative ideas. Writing had one to two creative details. Writing was not creative and did not show imagination.
Writing-Word Choice:
Correct words and details		 Work used Many adjectives to show ideas. Work used excellent words to paint a clear picture. Work used many adjectives to show ideas. Work used words that took away from the meaning. Work had few adjectives and descriptive words. Work used the same words over and over. Work did not Have adjectives or descriptive words.
Media-Pictures:
Photos and cartoons		 Poster had many pictures make it interesting. Poster used pictures that make it interesting. Poster had too many or too few pictures. Poster did not have any pictures.
Design-Overview:
Color, fonts		 Excellent use of color and text on the poster. The reader wanted to keep looking at the poster or learn more. Good use of color and text. The poster was easy to look at. Text was easy to read. Too many different colors used. Text was hard to view. Poster did not contain any color. Could not see text clearly.

Web Reference and Resources Tips for Students To Reference these pages

Copy and paste the text below:
Chan C.(2009) Assessment: Poster, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong [http://ar.talic.hku.hk]: Available: Accessed: DATE