Assessment Plan
	Description:

Grading is a cooperative effort and takes a lot of class time. (See Time Required for details about when the assessments are conducted and how much time they take.)

CHAIR DESIGN ASSESSMENTS include grades for:

• Preliminary Design Work
• Orthographic Drawings
• Models
• Team work
• Timeliness
• Class Participation

While the students are carrying out the project, look for teamwork, check to make sure that everyone is doing their part of the assignment, and that students are communicating to each other (especially during the design phase). Structural people must get together with designers in order for the design and structure to be successful.

Informally assess to make sure that students are checking and meeting the criteria and constraints of the assignments (e.g., angles and measurements), that drawings are laid out and organized properly, that dimensions are calculated properly for angles and lengths. This is crucial for construction.

Also check that during construction the cutting and laminating of cardboard are done in a safe manner and that planning is done to minimize waste.

Redesign is often needed throughout the project and students should know that changes are expected, they should be documented as to where and why changes are made. Ask students to write an evaluation at the end that includes all changes, include photographs of their chair during all stages, including study models, and include the summary in their electronic portfolios.

Chair Design Model - Evaluation Sheet (This assessment is done with the entire class during the "testing" phase.)

Chair Design Evaluation Sheet (This assessment is completed by the teacher.)

The Webpage Evaluation is self graded, reviewed by instructor for final approval and given a separate project grade (see the Chair Design Evaluation Sheet).

The portfolios (described in the Portfolio Information Handout) must include the design brief and statements about the design solution and the following:

• Ergonomics engineers: statistical analysis and decisions made
• Structural engineers: structural analysis data and descriptions
• Product design engineers: photos of models, isometric drawing and any other related drawings (CADD drawings can be copied onto the portfolios)

An equivalent to an A+ is worth 5 points, an A is worth 4 points etc. on the Chair Design Evaluation Sheet under the heading Completed Web-Page Portfolios.

Allow a minimum of 4 days for presentations (which can be done in the computer lab), chair testing and assessment of 6-8 teams.

An organized weekly journal would be a good addition to this project, where students can jot down changes in design and problems during construction (and how they were handled).

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