Self-Review

This short self-review takes just a few minutes to complete and helps identify the areas most relevant to your course. Based on your responses, you'll be guided to tailored recommendations for resources and guides, helping you focus on what matters most.

We recommend completing the self-review before exploring the guides, as it provides a personalised starting point and helps you make the most efficient use of your time.

For each recommendation, you will rate how effectively you feel it is being achieved in your course. If you select “Somewhat effective” or “Not effective”, you'll receive tailored feedback and suggested resources. If you select “Very effective”, no additional feedback will be provided.

After completing the self-review, you'll receive a personalised set of recommended guides focused on the areas most relevant to your course.

If you choose to provide your email address, we'll send you a link to your results, making it easy to revisit them later or share them with colleagues, learning designers, or consultants.

Next Steps

After completing the self-review, you can browse any of the Course Success guides. You may choose to act on the recommendations yourself, or share your self-review report with a learning designer or consultant at your institution, taking advantage of the different forms of instructional support available.

Feedback

After completing the self-review and reviewing the recommendations, we would welcome your feedback or suggestions.

If you encounter a problem or would like to make a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected]

Recommendation 6.1: Measuring Achievement

Design assessment to measure students’ achievement of course learning outcomes; explain to students how assessments align with outcomes.

What is this?

An assessment is an activity, exam or assignment designed to measure student learning. Well-designed assessments align with the learning outcomes and activities of the course. Provide a short explanation with assessment that makes explicit how it connects to the learning outcomes and other parts of the course.

Why is this important?

Assessment plays a critical role in the teaching and learning process. Assessment is not just about grading and examinations. It is also about getting to know your students and the quality of their learning, and using this insight to their benefit. Assessments help students reflect on and improve their own learning.

Where is this in my course?

Assessment activities and assignments can be delivered in a wide range of asynchronous and synchronous formats. Your syllabus, Module overviews, Assignment descriptions, Quiz directions, and Grading Rubrics can all help to clarify to students about how assessments fit into the course as a whole.

Please indicate how effectively you feel this is addressed in your course:

very effective

somewhat effective

not effective

Recommendation 6.2: Grading Policy

Clearly state the course grading policy at the beginning of the course.

What is this?

A grade policy statement at the beginning of the course should fully explain to the learner how the course grades are calculated. Explain each component (e.g. papers, exams, assigned discussions) of the course grade and how it contributes to the final grade.

Why is this important?

A grading policy explains the grading scale, the weights of various assessments, and the terms and consequences of late submissions. It can build students’ confidence that they understand what is expected of them, the relationship of the various assessments, and how their grades are determined.

Where is this in my course?

The grading policy must be detailed in the syllabus. It is reflected in the Canvas Gradebook, and it is often also presented in the Course Orientation. It can also be reinforced at the “point of need” in the directions for assessments.

Please indicate how effectively you feel this is addressed in your course:

very effective

somewhat effective

not effective

Recommendation 6.3: Frequency & Variety

Provide frequent opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways.

What is this?

Frequent and varied assessments means adding alternatives to high-stakes assessments into a course: frequent, low-stakes assessments and alternative assessments can scaffold or replace some high-stakes assessments.

Why is this important?

Providing regular and varied opportunities to evaluate student learning throughout the semester can help you and your students gauge the pace and quality of their learning. Regular and varied knowledge checks can also help keep students engaged, ease stress, and make it easier to identify where support is needed.

Where is this in my course?

Assessments can be built in Canvas using the normal tools (Quizzes, Assignments, Discussions), or outside of Canvas. Canvas Assignments are flexible, allowing other forms of submitted work to be graded through the Canvas Gradebook.

Please indicate how effectively you feel this is addressed in your course:

very effective

somewhat effective

not effective

Recommendation 6.4: Writing Clear Instructions

Provide frequent opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways.

What is this?

Why is this important?

Where is this in my course?

Please indicate how effectively you feel this is addressed in your course:

very effective

somewhat effective

not effective

Recommendation 6.5: Expectations & Feedback

Explain your expectations and how you will evaluate and provide feedback on submitted work.

What is this?

When introducing assessments, provide specific information about expectations of upcoming assignments, how they will be evaluated, and how feedback will be communicated.

Why is this important?

In order to perform well, students need to understand how they will be evaluated. By explaining how they will be graded and receive feedback, you can help students understand how they can learn from and build on each assessment.

Where is this in my course?

Expectations for assessments and course activities are explained in the Assignment descriptions on Canvas and other course communications. These may include text, video or audio. Feedback may be given through Rubrics, comments and annotations, and also through peer review.

Please indicate how effectively you feel this is addressed in your course:

very effective

somewhat effective

not effective

Recommendation 6.6: Academic Integrity

Design assessments that promote academic integrity and honesty.

What is this?

Academic integrity is fostering an environment in which student learning is achieved in a fair, just, and honest way.

Why is this important?

Academic integrity is essential if you are going to accurately measure students’ learning against the stated learning outcomes. It ensures that students are not rewarded for work they did not do. And it reflects the commitment of the institution to prepare students for work and life after university, through a quality education.

Where is this in my course?

Explanations of academic integrity are often found in the syllabus and in the Course Orientation, along with institutional academic integrity policies. It can also be reinforced at the "point of need," in the directions for tests, quizzes, assignments, and activities.

Please indicate how effectively you feel this is addressed in your course:

very effective

somewhat effective

not effective

Almost done!

If you'd like to access your results again in the future, enter your email address below and we'll send you a personal link to your recommendations.

You can also choose to add a note for yourself, which will be included in the email to help you remember any reflections, priorities, or actions you'd like to revisit later.

Once you submit the review, we'll email you your personal results link for future reference.

Use this area to take any notes that may help you consider any of your questions or ideas based on taking this course reflection. Your notes will be included in the follow-up email.

Next Steps

Feedback

Recommendation 6.1: Measuring Achievement

Design assessment to measure students’ achievement of course learning outcomes; explain to students how assessments align with outcomes.

Recommendation 6.2: Grading Policy

Clearly state the course grading policy at the beginning of the course.

Recommendation 6.3: Frequency & Variety

Provide frequent opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways.

Recommendation 6.4: Writing Clear Instructions

Provide frequent opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways.

Recommendation 6.5: Expectations & Feedback

Explain your expectations and how you will evaluate and provide feedback on submitted work.

Recommendation 6.6: Academic Integrity

Design assessments that promote academic integrity and honesty.