The Performance Assessment In It Courses

Performance assessment is a series of attempts to measure a student's ability to solve new problems with previously obtained knowledge or to accomplish specific tasks (Mr. Stiggins, American expert on education assessment). In particular, it consists of initial reactions induced by real life situation or by simulated environment, and direct observation and evaluation by experts following certain standards. It is shown in question construction, written reports, essay writing, speech, operating, experiment, data collection and exhibit. Performance assessment is still at a primitive stage and yet to become standardized and systematic in curriculum development for Information Technology (IT). IT curriculum comes from computer curriculum but with drastic improvement: simple technical training is transformed into complete development of information characteristics. As a result, we are in need of an assessment method that fits the new curriculum. Performance assessment will accelerate the realization of curriculum reform through its practical nature and ability to evaluate advanced thinking process. This study will help both teachers and students to establish a new assessment concept and give them a brand new angle. It will express the meaning of assessment education and reform; accelerate the establishment of the new assessment concept; and provide the operational basis to scientific application of assessment method.