Assessment Method Considerations
Identify how student performance will be assessed
When deciding how exactly to assess student performance, strive for a good alignment between the assessment measure and the performance being assessed. In many instances, the Student Performance Indicator(s) will suggest the assessment method(s) that should be used. An assessment system will only be successful if it provides quality, useable information with a reasonable amount of effort.
- Even though multiple performance indicators and assessment methods are desirable, stay focused on quality of the information you obtain. If you cannot draw trustworthy conclusions about how well students are achieving the stated outcomes from the information obtained, other methods should be considered. More modest assessments that produce useful information are far preferable to “swimming” in data of little practical value - that is, that will not help make judgments about how to improve your program. Sometimes less is more.
- Your assessment goals should drive the selection of methods, not the other way around. However, your program currently may use an instrument developed by faculty, or a commercial one, that you are pleased with. A capstone course project, for example, that has been refined over the years may be an excellent tool to assess one or more program outcomes. Some programs have developed culminating projects that can be used to assess a wide range of learning outcomes.
- Try to pilot test whichever assessment instruments and processes that are chosen, including standardized exams. This may be preaching to the choir, as most of us know from experience, things don't always go the way the think or hope they will. Get the bugs out before investing time & resources in a full implementation.
What Assessment Methods to Use?
There are many kinds of assessment methods available. A good place to begin is to consider those most commonly used. In general, these methods are of two types – direct and indirect.
- Direct assessments require students to demonstrate knowledge &/or skill by responding to some measure.
- Indirect assessments ask students to reflect on learning experiences rather than demonstrate them specifically
The most commonly used Direct and Indirect assessment methods can be found on the Assessment Office website. Each kind of assessment has strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages for a given circumstance.
See also: Assessment Instruments and Methods Available to Assess Student Learning in the Major (University of Wisconsin)
