Assessments

As an educator and instructional designer, I prioritize effective assessment strategies. I scaffold assignments, thereby creating an engaging learning experiences that promote academic growth. My approach ensures assessments measure student learning outcomes. From reading and research to quizzes to discussions to the final product, each is aligned with course objectives while building on the previous one, providing meaningful opportunities for students to demonstrate how they are building their skills and knowledge.

Examples

Problem

As an educator, I've encountered a common problem: course objectives created by the college or department that are not measurable. If assessments don't directly measure the material being taught, students struggle to grasp the relevance of the material, making it a challenge for instructors to accurately gauge their progress and provide meaningful feedback. This was particularly an issue for me when I worked at multiple colleges at one time as the outcomes at each institution were different and not all of the outcomes were measurable.

Thinking Critically

Knowing that I needed a solution, I reviewed the learning objectives for the multiple institutions to find clear links between them and to ensure clarity, measurability, and alignment with desired outcomes. Seeking feedback from colleagues, I analyzed a variety of possible solutions. Early on, I was able to experiment with different solutions at each college. Looking at which students seemed to thrive and which were more confused, I reflected on what would work. Eventually, when working toward high-quality course design, I realized that by creating module-level outcomes, I could work these through multiple courses at different institutions ensuring that I met the course-level outcomes at all of them.

Solution

Recognizing the common challenge of assessments not aligning with learning objectives, I embarked on a journey of professional development and collaboration with colleagues to find a solution. Through these efforts, I introduced module-level outcomes alongside course objectives, providing a focused framework for student achievement. This adjustment allowed me to align assessments more closely with specific learning goals, ensuring accurate evaluation of student understanding.

Implemented module-level outcomes to provide a clear focus for student achievement.
Aligned assessments closely with specific learning goals to ensure accurate evaluation.
Improved the assessment process through critical analysis and targeted changes.
Enhanced support for student success by addressing assessment-objective alignment.

By critically analyzing this challenge and implementing targeted changes, I improved the assessment process, ultimately better supporting student success across varied educational settings.