Hi and welcome back! I'm on a mission to ignite a love for problem solving and innovation in our students. If you've followed my journey, you'll know that I believe in teaching life skills over content, and one of my favorite superpowers to impart is problem solving.
Today, I want to share a teaching approach that has transformed my classroom and empowered my students to become creative problem solvers—open-ended style assessments.
Open-Ended Style Assessments
When I hand out an assessment to my students, I don't just ask them to produce a predetermined end product like an essay, a presentation, or a poster. Instead, I provide them with a challenge: "Show me you understand X." I leave the format wide open, allowing my students to determine how best to convey their knowledge.
Why do I take this approach? Here are a few reasons:
Critical Thinking: Open-ended assessments require students to think critically about how to present their understanding. They need to assess the content, their audience, and the most effective way to communicate.
Creative Expression: By giving students the freedom to choose their format, we encourage them to express themselves creatively. This approach allows them to have fun with their work and explore their artistic side.
Real-World Readiness: In the real world, problems don't come with a pre-defined format for solutions. Students need to learn how to adapt and choose the most suitable way to convey information, just as they'll do in their future careers.
Unleashing Creativity
At first, some students (and their parents) may struggle with this style of assessment. They might be more comfortable with traditional formats and clear guidelines. However, I constantly emphasise the value of open-ended assessments and the skills they cultivate.
Here are some examples of what my students have created through open-ended assessments:
Secret Journals: To explore historical events or characters, students created secret journals as if they were eyewitnesses, providing unique perspectives.
Police Investigation Boards: Students have crafted intricate investigation boards with evidence, clues, and theories.
Letters and Videos: Some students chose to write a series of letters or produce videos as a way to express their understanding.
Board Games: To teach complex concepts, a group of students designed board games that required players to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Poems, Art, Portfolios, Websites: The possibilities are endless. Some students turned to poetry and art, while others curated portfolios or built websites to showcase their knowledge.
Through these open-ended assessments, my students have learned to think critically, communicate effectively, and tap into their creativity. They've discovered that there's no one-size-fits-all solution to real-world challenges, and that adaptability and creativity are assets they can carry into adulthood.
Conclusion
Open-ended style assessments are more than just a teaching method; they're a pathway to unlocking the creative problem solvers within our students. By challenging them to think beyond the box and express themselves in diverse ways, we prepare them for the uncertainties and complexities of the world they'll inherit.
So, if you're looking to infuse a little more creativity and problem solving into your classroom, I encourage you to embrace open-ended assessments. You'll be amazed at the ingenious solutions your students bring to the table and the lifelong skills they'll acquire along the way.