Qualities of Good Assessment Practices

4.4 Ensuring that learners receive specific, constructive, and timely feedback regarding their progress

Assessment

Assessment is the process of gathering and discussing information from multiple and diverse sources in order to develop a deep understanding of what students know, understand, and can do with their knowledge as a result of their educational experiences. The process culminates when assessment results are used to improve subsequent learning.

Choosing assessment tools for your course(s) is at the heart of curriculum planning. These tools will drive student learning as they will be the first things that attract your learners’ attention! The following diagram illustrates the importance of assessing students using an Integrated Course Design model, where established learning goals are supported by appropriate learning activities and assessment methods.

Assessment Methods

There are four considerations to examine when designing an appropriate assessment method that will reflect the established learning goals and activities:

Reliability
Standardization
Validity
Practicality

Reliability is the extent to which a questionnaire, test, observation or any measurement procedure produces the same results over a period of time. Standardization establishes a set precedence, therefore enhancing an assignment, test or projects’ reliability. Validity is defined as, the extent to which the instrument measures what it sets out to measure. Teachers must identify the expected learning outcomes and goals of the course in order to appropriately assess student work. Practicality refers to the action of the assessment method and its relevance to the overall learning goals in the course. It also addresses whether or not the workload for the instructor is reasonable.

Source: Michael J. Miller, Reliability and Validity. Western International University, 2000-2009.

Providing Student Feedback

Learners want feedback on how they are doing throughout the term. Without timely feedback, learners cannot go forward in a focused manner to achieve success in meeting the course outcomes. Learners want to know that you will provide feedback but also that it will be timely, following the assessment. Student feedback should also be made available, in an easy-to-retrieve format.