Assessment Methods
Making assessment fit-for-purpose
(This should be understood in conjunction with Steps in assessment design decisions.
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Adopting a more strategic and holistic approach to the selection and design of assessment can require that you devote some time to exploring suitable assessment methods, consider their benefits and feasibility, and coordinate this process with colleagues across a course or programme.
Selecting assessment methods on the basis of intended learning outcomes
Before you explore potential assessment methods, it might be useful to reflect on the following questions to identify assessment methods which are fit-for-purpose within your own context:
- What are the learning outcomes that you are going to assess?
- Which existing modes of assessment promote the desired learning outcomes? Which do not?
- To what extent are current assessment methods challenging, authentic and holistic?
- What kind of skill and knowledge are being demonstrated in each assessment task?
- Are all learning outcomes equally important?
- Does the weighting of each assessment task reflect the importance of the related intended learning outcomes?
- How will your class size influence your choice of assessment?
- How will resource constraints influence your choice of assessment?
- What technologies can you use to support the assessment?
The ideas given in this section of the site offer an introduction to a range of assessment methods. This is not an exhaustive list, rather it is intended as a starting point from which to adapt and develop ideas and approaches relevant to your own discipline.
Development of arguments, reflection, judgement, evaluation
Ways to assess:
Expected students attributes:
Identify problems, define problems, analyse data, review, design experiments, plan, apply information
Ways to assess:
Objective tests: short answer and MCQs
Essay-variants: articles and reviews
Expected students attributes:
Take readings, use equipment, follow procedures and protocols
Ways to assess:
Expected students attributes:
Recall, describe, report, identify, recognise, recountWays to assess:
Objective tests: short answer and MCQs
Expected students attributes:
Work cooperatively and independently, be self-directed, mange time and tasks.
Ways to assess:
Objective tests: short answer and MCQs
Expected student attributes:
Design, create, perform
Ways to assess:
Expected student attributes:
Information search, retrieval, investigate, interpret, evaluate information
Ways to assess:
Expected student attributes:
Written, oral and visual
Ways to assess:Essay-variants: research proposal
Essay-variants: articles and reviews
Essay-variants: briefing / policy papers
Class participation