Self-review

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 your assessment that makes it 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.

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.

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 an learning management system (LMS) using standard tools such as quizzes, assignments, discussions), or outside of the LMS.

Recommendation 6.4: Writing Clear Instructions

Provide clear instructions to preempt student questions and build students’ confidence.

What is this?

Clear instructions fully explain your expectations, including what students have to do, how they will be assessed, and how they can submit their work. The instructions should also address broader questions like how an assignment relates to other work, why it is important, and how to get help.

Why is this important?

Giving directions is an important part of building an inclusive learning environment, by reinforcing that students have a place in the course and giving them confidence to succeed. For all students, confusing instructions add unnecessary cognitive load, slowing their progress, reducing their confidence, and distracting them from the material and tasks you want them to focus on.

Where is this in my course?

Instructions are normally attached to each assignment on the LMS, or in a printed or downloadable document.

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 the LMS 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.

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. These principles can also be reinforced at the point of need, through the directions for tests, quizzes, assignments, and activities.

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