An Example of Using the Assessment Matrix to Make Self Assessment  Decisions.

Lets have a look at the ME ME ME Portrait in relation to the assessment sheet.  

Me Me Me is a creative self portrait.  I wanted to create a portrait that has visual appeal and makes people smile.

The image is an example of the role of technology in the art making process. The use of Photoshop to composite three images into one gives the image a unique look and creates a comic quality.

To take this image, I placed my phone on a steady surface and took three shots in quick succession.  By taking the images in quick succession, I ensure that the light temperature and shadows do not change too much.

Creating this type of  image is made easier if the subject does not overlap – as this makes masking out backgrounds much easier and the workflow is kept simplistic.

One of the challenges that I had with the image is where the top of the guitar overlaps with the version of me reading the magazine.  To mask this effectively, I had to use a small soft edged brush and zoom in very closely.

My audience for this image was my class and friends on social media.  At a time when people are feeling quite down about being in Isolation, I wanted to give them something to look at that was funny.

By showing others how to create the image, I hope to create a splattering of similar images on social media that make even more people smile for a moment.

This for me is the power of art.  It can be a simple form of expression that can have a big reaction from the audience who see it.

Get Inside My Head

Lets look at how I would mark this on  the third matrix of Knowing and Understanding

The image and response lead me to believe that the person producing this response is giving a competent demonstration of practical skills.  This would move up if the other images in the portfolio are of the same standard.  One image alone though is not enough to give a definitive move of grade to proficient. Similarly, if the rest of the portfolio was beneath this level of quality, I would start to look a moving it down to the C band.

In terms of the techniques and technolgies that have gone into creating this image, I am happy that they are working at a proficient level based on the detailed response supporting the image iteself.  Again, I would need to see this level of quality in the other images to move from an overall competent assessment to that of being proficient.

The parts of the response that helped me come to this conclusion for this criteria are highlighted in green below:

Me Me Me is a creative self portrait.  I wanted to create a portrait that has visual appeal and makes people smile.

The image is an example of the role of technology in the art making process. The use of Photoshop to composite three images into one gives the image a unique look and creates a comic quality.

To take this image, I placed my phone on a steady surface and took three shots in quick succession.  By taking the images in quick succession, I ensure that the light temperature and shadows do not change too much.

Creating this type of  image is made easier if the subject does not overlap – as this makes masking out backgrounds much easier and the workflow is kept simplistic.

One of the challenges that I had with the image is where the top of the guitar overlaps with the version of me reading the magazine.  To mask this effectively, I had to use a small soft edged brush and zoom in very closely.

My audience fo this image was my class and friends on social media.  At a time when people are feeling quite down about being in Isolation, I wanted to give them something to look at that was funny.

By showing others how to create the image, I hope to create a splattering of similar images on social media that make even more people smile for a moment.

This for me is the power of art.  It can be a simple form of expression that can have a big reaction from the audience who see it.

When creating your responses, it is vital to use the correct language.  Be specific.  If the criteria has the words techniques and technologies in it, be sure to use these words in your response to make it obvious that you are addressing that criteria.  

Lets look at another criteria from the Knowing and Sharing category.

Remember that not each response has to address every criteria.  This particular response addresses the technical and technique aspect of Creating Media Art really well.  It is less thorough with demonstrating knowledge of media arts concepts.  So how could this be improved?  Let’s look at the comments that I felt applied to this criteria.  They are highlighted in orange in the text below.

Me Me Me is a creative self portrait.  I wanted to create a portrait that has visual appeal and makes people smile.

The image is an example of the role of technology in the art making process. The use of Photoshop to composite three images into one gives the image a unique look and creates a comic quality.

To take this image, I placed my phone on a steady surface and took three shots in quick succession.  By taking the images in quick succession, I ensure that the light temperature and shadows do not change too much.

Creating this type of  image is made easier if the subject does not overlap – as this makes masking out backgrounds much easier and the workflow is kept simplistic.

One of the challenges that I had with the image is where the top of the guitar overlaps with the version of me reading the magazine.  To mask this effectively, I had to use a small soft edged brush and zoom in very closely.

My audience fo this image was my class and friends on social media.  At a time when people are feeling quite down about being in Isolation, I wanted to give them something to look at that was funny.

By showing others how to create the image, I hope to create a splattering of similar images on social media that make even more people smile for a moment.

This for me is the power of art.  It can be a simple form of expression that can have a big reaction from the audience who see it.

The Revised Example  

(just the orange bits)

Me  Me Me is a creative self portrait.  Self portraits can help the artist see themselves as other people see them, or it can be a really effective way to make a social statement about circumstances the artist finds themselves in.  For this image, I wanted to create a portrait that had visual appeal but also made people smile during a time where social distancing is making people feel isolated and alone.

My audience for this image was my class and friends on social media.  I felt that this was the best audience because we have a personal connection.  Because they know me, I think that they will find it humorous.  In this way, the image is making a statement about the circumstances we are in, ie – we are all getting a little sick and tired of our own company and looking forward to interacting with others once Isolation is over!

By showing others how to create the image, I hope to create a community of people that reinforces the sense of belonging that we may currently be needing.  In this way, my image is a statement about our social circumstances.

This for me is the power of art.  It can be a simple form of expression that can have a big reaction from the audience who see it.

When you have your images completed and have formulated your responses, go through the criteria sheet and self-assess.

One Last Tip!

Look at the criteria sheet.  In the example above, you will notice that  I am asked to make judgments about your ‘interpretation’ of ‘media arts concepts’.  The judgments from left to right are that your interpretation is “Perceptive” for an A.  “Informed” for a B. Then the C grade is just that you have shown sound interpretation.  “Partial”  for a D. “Minimal” for an E.  

We call the activity, in this case Interpretation, the cognition (or thinking avtivity).  The description of how well you do that cognition is called the qualifier. So when you are looking at the criteria sheet look at what I am assessing and how it is to be measured.