Taking a Bite out of Assessments: One Cookie at a Time

Audience Level: 
All
Institutional Level: 
Higher Ed
Abstract: 

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore techniques for creating authentic competency-based assessments across discipline areas. How do we design assessments that are well-aligned to the competencies we want to measure, incorporate variety in assessing levels of learning, and intentionally use assessments to drive the learning experience?

Extended Abstract: 

Authentic mastery-driven assessments are at the core of competency-based learning. In this workshop, we will explore various aspects of designing quality assessments that are aligned to the competencies we want to measure. This session will look at how different frameworks of learning can be used to incorporate variety and rigor in our assessments and use concrete examples from a spectrum of discipline areas to conceptualize appropriate assessments. We will start with cookies (yes, with real cookies to eat!) and move on to other more challenging discipline areas.  

By attending the session, participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Articulate and discuss why, when, what, and how we assess in learning experiences
  • Consider different levels of learning and domains of learning, including hard-to-assess foundational skills and attitudes, and how to incorporate them into assessment models
  • Analyze different assessment "types" and recognize the most appropriate types of assessments for varying levels of learning and varying disciplines
  • Apply best practices in assessment design and delivery across different discipline areas
  • Think creatively around traditionally hard-to-assess topics
  • Explore strategies for designing effective rubrics

Participants will be actively engaged in this session by:

  • Discussing their prior experience with different assessment models, challenges and approaches that have been used in different programs/discipline areas
  • Engaging in exercises that examine key elements of assessment & rubric design and ask participants to think critically about different models of assessment
  • Having participants actively apply design strategies and sketch out an assessment approach for a “fun” edible example with cookies
  • Having participants actively apply learning to develop an assessment for a competency in a discipline area of their choosing
  • Incorporating small group work and sharing to help generate ideas, and promote creativity and teamwork.
Conference Track: 
Teaching and Learning Innovation
Session Type: 
Workshop
Intended Audience: 
Design Thinkers
Faculty
Instructional Support
Training Professionals
Technologists
All Attendees