Assessment - Impact on Students in High School Visual Art 

There are many ways to assess students in the art classroom. Observing students, one on one conversations, written reflections, along with the other modes of sharing all contribute to “getting to know” the students and discovering their strengths, areas of improvement, and whether or not they understand the lesson, and if you as a teacher have communicated your expectations effectively. 

To assess during the art making process, teachers should build in opportunities for students to reflect on their own progress, get feedback from their peers, and talk with their teacher. One of the most valuable times in learning occurs when students are in the process of creating. That’s why it’s important for teachers to “check in” frequently while art is being created, rather than after the work has been turned in.

Whether in-progress critiques or final critiques, each of these conversation times are important opportunities for growth in the art classroom. The ultimate goal of critiques is to create a safe environment where students can become comfortable sharing ideas and the art they’ve made with others, build relationships with other artists, and give and take feedback in a professional manner in order to improve.

Assessment in the Secondary Visual Art Classroom - Video Overview