Taskstream for Faculty/Adjuncts

What is Taskstream?

Taskstream (TS) is a web-based electronic portfolio designed to collect and manage assessment data related to accreditation/accountability reports. The TS Learning Achievement Tools (LAT) system that GSEHD has adopted allows for assessment data to be collected for individual students. Each student will have in their TS account a set of folios that capture key assessments identified for their program as well as additional data that is needed for school-wide accreditation reporting needs.

This system will also interface with the University TS Accountability Management System (AMS) version that is designed to report assessment data at the program level.  The two systems will have a related connection as we move forward using these applications for the accreditation reports and the academic program review. As part of their subscription in TS, Students will also be able to design their own portfolio for career purposes as part of this package allowing them to select from their assessment artifacts and to enhance with other features of their choice.

Taskstream allows students to upload assignments from each core course in their program of study, and submit that assignment for evaluation.  It also allows faculty to evaluate students’ assignment and to create standards-based lesson plans, evaluation rubrics, and entire instructional units. Faculty can use the data they collect from scoring student work to help assess their effectiveness as educators. These assignments and tasks include key assessments, and portfolios that have been developed as a means to assess candidate progress toward meeting standards.  These standards include our own accrediting agency (NCATE), and those set by our professional organizations.  After reviewing several electronic portfolios, and viewing demonstrations of Taskstream, the school felt Taskstream would meet its goals. 

GSEHD began working with the NCATE programs in the fall semester of 2012. The Office of Professional Preparation and Accreditation (OPPA) - Division of Data Systems and Assessments facilitated the migration work under the leadership of Dr. Leslie Ward and program analyst Ellen Wanjiru.

What are Key Assessments?

These are assignments being used to assess candidate proficiency in regard to FEAPS (Florida Educator Accomplished Practices). Students must add these assignments to their electronic portfolio, housed in Taskstream. Taskstream is a web-based system in which the portfolio is constructed, and in which assignments are assessed using specific rubrics developed by program faculty. Data from the assessment are used to track candidate progress toward meeting standards, and as a source of information for faculty to use in evaluating GSEHD programs. Instructors can add elements to the assignment, but the core of it must remain the same so that data from the rubric-based assessment can be aggregated and reported.

What do I tell my students?

If you are a student in GSEHD and pursuing a degree in any of the following M.A. programs: Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Education Leadership & Administration, Bilingual Special Education, SSETS/EBD, CEBD, SSETS, Early Childhood Special Education, MA. Elementary Education, MA. Reading, you are required to have a Taskstream subscription.

In order to access Taskstream’s program portfolio and submit work for evaluation students need to have a Taskstream account that can be accessed via Gweb Single Sign-On (SSO).

Non-Degree seeking students: Due to GSEHD’s policy that non-degree students can only take one GSEHD course, GSEHD will provide a one-semester Taskstream subscription at no cost to non-degree students. In the event that you become a degree student in the future, you will be charged a matriculation fee that will cover a three-year Taskstream subscription. The one semester as a non-degree student will be deducted from the three year (3-year subscription minus 1 semester) subscription.

Doc students: If you are enrolled in MA level class, students may be required to upload key assessments. The primary purpose will be to use Taskstream as a digital repository (cloud) to store all your work.

This template below provides a brief explanation and guidelines for the Taskstream system and its use in providing evidence of our students’ progress as they move through the key assessments identified in a program.  It is important that these assessments be housed in Taskstream, which will streamline the process of aggregating data for our accreditation reports.  Taskstream provides user friendly applications that will allow students to upload their assessments and will allow faculty to grade them and provide feedback.  Students and faculty must use TS for all key NCATE assessments. 

Sample Taskstream Verbiage to put in Course Syllabi

The following text is a sample of what you might include in your course syllabus so that students are aware of the Taskstream requirement:

“Students are required to use Taskstream to upload and submit assignments for courses that have key NCATE/CAEP assessments. Students must put their key assignments (or portfolio) in Taskstream in a time-frame that allows faculty to evaluate assignments prior to the e-grade deadline. Student course grades will not be finalized until assignments have been evaluated on Taskstream.”

Tips for Using Taskstream in Your Class

• Don’t wait until the last week, or weeks, in the semester to have students submit assignments for evaluation.  This can be a difficult time to solve technical and other issues which may arise.
• Signature assignments should be worth a significant portion of the course grade.  If signature assignments are not connected to a course grade, it can be difficult to compel students to submit their work for evaluation. 
• Allow your students to submit items for review prior to submitting them for final evaluation.  One of Taskstream’s primary strengths is its “Review” feature which helps facilitate a formative dialogue between instructors and students before assignments are submitted for final evaluation.

Does faculty need to purchase Taskstream Accounts?

No: There is no cost to instructors.  Instructors will receive a PowerPoint instructional guide that provides step-by-step instructions on how to access the Taskstream system via GWeb Single Sign-On (SSO).