Selecting the Right Assessment

It is important to understand how learners have mastered course materials during the semester and to do so in ways that don't disadvantage learners. When designing your assessment strategy for your course, consider the following:

Assessment Design

• Are assessments aligned with course and concentration competencies and learning objectives?
• Do assessments reliably and consistently measure how well learners have met learning objectives?
• Does the course include a variety of assessments that allow for multiple ways to demonstrate learning?
• Are both low-stakes and high-stakes assessments included?
• How much time will grading take?
• Does the scope and number of assessments allow for enough learner feedback?
• Are assessments a manageable workload for both learners and instructors?
• Are assessments designed for in-class and out of class?

Assessment Content

• What assessments work best for the course content and objectives?
• Do learning activities and low-stakes assessments provide scaffolding or practice for high-stakes assessments?
• Are assessments being reviewed for bias?

Assessment methods

• What will be graded or ungraded?
• Are grading criteria available and transparent?
• Are learners given an opportunity to self-assess?
• Are samples of completed assessments provided?

Assessment Ideas Based on Bloom's Taxonomy

If you have created learning objectives and competencies for your course based on Bloom's Taxonomy, you can select assessment methods that correspond. You can find some ideas here.