Learning Outcomes Assessed
- Identify the connection between selected plays and major theatrical developments, artistic movements and conditions of social change.
- Write a clearly-defined critical question, which links historical data to an issue of live performance.
- Write a clearly-argued short essay in MLA format, supported by critical thinking and academic research, which links a specific theatrical text or practice to the social fabric and cultural beliefs of its era.
Other aspects of theater training supported by this approach: a focus on process, the ability to collaborate, and the desire to understand and engage with theater as a form of humanist inquiry as well as an art form.
What Worked Well
Students seemed pleased with the ability to access resources, see a copy of their paper and the rubric with easy-to-read comments and use their time efficiently to improve their grade on this assignment. As an instructor, I appreciated the way the e-assessment tool made it easier to generate comments, save and track the rubric and graded paper and track the progress of each student in a large class with students from a wide range of programs.
What Didn’t Work Well
It is hard to bring up the earlier draft with the second draft side-by-side and compare them online. I am forced to print a hard copy of the first — which seems to defeat the purpose of quickly, thoroughly and efficiently assessing the revised essays. In a large course, I need to use my time efficiently!
Lessons Learned
I’m not sure how to deal with this problem, but in general, I find it important to simplify the process, even though I want to ensure all students have the opportunity to access resources and to engage in the revision process.
Contact Information
Erica Stevens Abbitt, Associate Professor, School of Dramatic Art/Director, Humanities Research Group |