Skills Not Tasks: Assessment

Covid.  It's forced us all to stay home far more than normal.  My kids and I don't watch a ton of TV, but lately, we've been turning it on more.  They love The Floor is Lava, which somehow led us to Blown Away.

If you haven't seen it, Blown Away is Canadian reality TV about glassblowers.  Think Project Runway, American's Next Top Model, or any other reality TV competition style, but with glassblowing and Canadian accents.  It is really delightful television.

In each episode, a task is presented to the contestants.  Each task is judged in three areas.  I'm summarizing, but more or less they are: technical skill, following the creative prompt, and creative risk.  While I can't recall the wording, I'm four episodes in and I can recall the basics. Performance based assessment with a clear rubric, anyone?

Although the process of creating this style of art is mesmerizing, I am most sucked into the presentation portion of each episode.  The judges (two regular and one guest) examine the works of art, then bring in the contestants to chat with them.  Instead of focusing on tasks, they focus on skills, and the same three skills that are reviewed in each intro!

For example, in one episode, the inspiration is supposed to be food.  One artist creates a chicken egg with amazingly realistic feet.  His feedback?  Incredible craftsmanship (skill 1).  Following prompt was clever and fun (skill 2).  Creative risk was okay (skill 3).  They also pointed out some process things that will matter down the line.  He finishes quickly and could take more time to redo imperfections.  Instead of critiquing task issues (specifics about the egg), they talked about the process that will benefit him down the line.

In the same episode, one individual pointed out that he didn't like the prompt and basically went rouge.  Following the prompt is a skill in this discipline, especially when working with commissions.  Not surprisingly, that individual was sent home.

Learn to read the question.  Learn to find your voice.  Learn the ins and outs of good writing.

There's plenty for teachers to take away from this show as we continue to grow in the area of finding the best ways to provide feedback for our students in the digital space.