Session 3

How can web-based materials improve assessment of student performance?

Assessment means many things to many people. In this case the word means any systematic measure or evaluation of student learning. Commonly, we use the term "test" to refer to student assessment. But today, our views of ways to assess student learning are changing.

To get a sense of the new paradigm involving assessment, review these statements and decide whether you agree or disagree with each. What is your view of the role and purpose(s) of assessment? When you have finished reflecting on these statements, return here.

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Ok. You have thought about testing a little. Before we go further, think about the worst test you have ever taken. Why was it such a bad experience? Was it because you didn't study? Or did you study the wrong thing, and in the wrong way?

The ideal assessment today measures not only what students KNOW but also what they can DO. The emphasis in education is on performance and the integration of declarative knowledge (what students know) with what they can do with what they know (procedural and conditional knowledge).

The new paradigm in assessment emphasizes alignment among the three components of the education system:

Curriculum Instruction Assessment (C-I-A)

The process of alignment may work something like this:

Start with assessment by asking yourself, "At the end of this teaching/learning experience, what do I want the students to know and be able to do? How will I be able to know students have achieved these goals?" The answer to these questions can come from a range of assessments, but the emphasis will be on performance, what students DO.

Next, decide what curriculum (content) you will need to address to prepare students for this performance.

Finally, address the method(s) of instruction and kinds of active learning experiences will you need to develop so students will have lots of opportunities to construct their knowledge and practice their skills in preparation for the assessment.

These steps are universal, that is, they work equally well whether you are developing web-based or classroom based learning modules.

Remember, try to develop assessments which are engaging, fun for students (and therefore, more motivating), and which provide constructive feedback for the student so he or she can improve their level of achievement.