AuthenticAssessmentToolbox


 * 1.** The name of this website is the Authentic Assessment Toolbox (http://jonathan.mueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/index.htm).


 * 2. AUTHORITY**

The domain of this site is ".edu" (This is an appropriate domain: the Authentic Assessment Toolbox is supported by North Central College). The author of this site is Jon Mueller. He is a professor of psychology at North Central College. He has publications in several education journals as well professional websites.


 * 3. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT**

This is not a music-specific website; it is a tool for educators to become familiar with authentic assessment and implement it in their classroom. In his “Examples” section, however, Mueller does share some examples of authentic assessment in the high school choral music classroom (http://jonathan.mueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/examples/examples_tasks_music.htm). Mueller includes no outside resources. The website is copyrighted for 2006. Although there is no “last updated” date, Mueller has indicated which features are new to the site.

As this website is neither a musical tool nor a music-teaching tool, the National Music Standards do not apply. However, the Authentic Assessment Toolbox does apply to INTASC Standard 8:

The teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.


 * 4. PURPOSE, VIEWPOINT**

The intent of this page is to instruct educators on developing authentic tasks, rubrics, and standards for evaluating student growth. It explains the benefits of authentic assessment and provides directions and examples of its implementation. The page is sponsored by North Central College. This website is solely focused on authentic assessment. Its aim is to share the benefits of authentic assessment and provide ways for using it in the classroom. It is not so much biased as it is focused on one subject. However, there are no links to other viewpoints on this page.


 * 5. REPUTATION**

The Authentic Assessment Toolbox is cited by the Authentic Assessment Website (http://www.jeremybwilliams.net/authentic/) and the Alliance for Education (http://www.sbcalliance.org/Resources/assessmnt.htm). The Authentic Assessment Toolbox was awarded the 2004 Merlot Classics award for teacher education


 * 6. OVERALL EVALUATION**

The Authentic Assessment Toolbox is well-organized. The text is divided into chapters, which are subsequently divided into specific topics for the ease of the reader. Mueller’s writing is engaging and informative. His “Examples” section is a collection of actual standards, tasks, rubrics, and portfolios developed by graduate students and teachers. This is a great way to see authentic assessment at work. For the most part, this site is easy to navigate, although links to the newest chapters of the text are not included in the “menu” on the top left of the page (the new links are found at the bottom of the home page). Authentic assessment is key for music educators. This website articulates the importance of authentic assessment in school. This website is a great one for music educators to keep in their “favorite places” for references and resources.

Rating: +++ 1/2 Reviewed by: Margaret Kiehl 4/9/06