A Practical Approach to Aligning Course Learning Outcomes with Tests and Other Assessment Tools
On February 16, 2022, Mr. Mohammad Adil led a dynamic workshop titled "A Practical Approach to Aligning Course Learning Outcomes with Tests and Other Assessment Tools." This timely workshop, organized by the Language Research Center, provided a deep dive into methods for effectively measuring course learning outcomes, stressing the significance of advance planning for outcome alignment.
Initiating the session with an engaging brainstorming exercise, Adil presented participants with a sample course report emphasizing learning outcome measurement. Participants were then tasked with identifying potential issues with the demonstrated measurement in the report, sparking a lively exchange of ideas.
Adil highlighted the necessity for instructors to measure each learning outcome based on distinct tasks. He explained that when a comprehensive test, such as a final exam, aligns with multiple learning outcomes, the measurement should be based on points achieved per task rather than the total exam score. He meticulously demonstrated how final exam tasks could be precisely aligned with specific learning outcomes and how these could be effectively and accurately measured.
In addition, Adil briefly discussed potential approaches to crafting assignments based on specific learning outcomes. Emphasizing a proactive strategy, he advised coordinators to develop and share alignment plans with instructors at the beginning of a course to prevent confusion and misalignment.
The practical and insightful workshop was well-received and deemed a great success. A recording of the event, titled "CLO Alignment Webinar," is available for further reference and revisiting the rich discussions of the workshop.
In a seamless continuation of the training session explained above, the Development and Quality Unit later in the day further highlighted the dedication to enhancing educational standards. This session, pivotal in strengthening our assessment process, emphasized:
- Effective Use of Moderation Checklist: Reinforcing its role in ensuring fair, valid, and reliable assessments, aligned with learning outcomes.
- Review of Past Exams: Analyzing previous results to refine assessment strategies, ensuring alignment with educational goals.
- Phases of Assessment Moderation: From pre-assessment checks to post-assessment evaluations, ensuring thoroughness and fairness in line with Bloom's Revised Taxonomy.
- Application of Bloom's Taxonomy: This ensures a diverse range of cognitive skill assessments, from basic understanding to complex analysis.
This comprehensive approach, anchored by past assessments and the moderation checklist, significantly elevates the consistency, fairness, and educational alignment of our courses and program assessments.
