What+is+a+Rich+Task

=What is a Rich Task? =

The term ‘Rich Task' may be new to you, but it refers to a type of teaching practice that has been in use for a long time.

A Rich Task is a project that connects different subjects (interdisciplinary) and involves a variety of teaching and learning methods. In a Rich Task, students are encouraged to display their learning throughout the task. It is not only about improving one’s understanding, knowledge and skills – it is equally about how one displays their progress. The project should spark interest, relate to real issues and help students develop useful skills. It must promote active learning – no sitting in silence, listening to a lecture. It should also be flexible: for example, schools can address local issues relating to the topic.

All this may sound familiar… perhaps you are reminded of junior/primary school education? Whilst researching Rich Tasks, visiting a primary school and reminiscing about our childhoods, the Learning School team came to the conclusion that Rich Tasks are indeed very much like the projects we carried out in primary school! Below is a table with a bit more information on what a Rich Task should be…


 * **The Topic **

Topics covered are interesting

The RT is interdisciplinary

It draws on topics widely accepted in school subjects

It integrates social, linguistic & cultural practice

It connects to World beyond the classroom

The RT enables flexibility for schools to address local content

The RT has many elements – including those difficult to assess in traditional ways || **Characteristics **

The RT is problem based

It is challenging

<span style="color: #0000b3; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It involves active thinking and doing

<span style="color: #0000b3; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It encourages originality and invention

<span style="color: #0000b3; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It requires judgements

<span style="color: #0000b3; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It is accessible and extendable

<span style="color: #0000b3; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It supports individual and group goals

<span style="color: #0000b3; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It involves a variety of communication skills

<span style="color: #0000b3; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It is ethical and respectful of the learner || **<span style="color: #029d18; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Assessment **

<span style="color: #029d18; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Assessment must be meaningful

<span style="color: #029d18; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Assessment practices are far richer and more complex than the sitting of a test

<span style="color: #029d18; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The RT represents an educational outcome of demonstrable and substantive intellectual substance and educational value

<span style="color: #029d18; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The RT asks for straightforward analyses and possession of ingenuity

<span style="color: #029d18; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It requires realistic decisions and defence of those decisions

<span style="color: #029d18; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It requires reflection and self-assessment over time ||

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