Abstract:
This qualitative study of authentic assessment aimed to experiment with the
portfolio created by the researcher. The portfolio was applied to the Arts PROPEL
concept, for privately taught Thai piano students aged from 13-15 years old in the
early-intermediate level within a three-month period. Tasks included in the portfolio
were a Music Journal, Rubrics and Self-Assessment, Reflective Writing, and Error
Detection exercise. Each student was required to select three pieces to reflect their
best performance, tape-record and replay each selected piece for a self-assessment
three times, make comments on their selected pieces, identify the mistakes made
purposely by the teacher in the Error Detection exercise, and write in his/her Music
Journal daily. The results of the experiment were determined through teacher and
student interviews. For advantages, the portfolio encouraged the students to pay more
attention to their studies, learn to listen to their own performance analytically, realize
their strong and weak points better, and practice more effectively. For limitations, the
lack of students fundamental music skills, lack of self-confidence and increased
nervousness at the recording, lack of teaching musicianship and over modest
characteristics of Thai students limited effective portfolio use. The portfolio also took
time for the lessons. Some students were apprehensive of continuing because the
portfolio gave them so many tasks.