Develop course assessments & activities

What & Why

Incorporating a variety of assessment approaches can help manage workload and provide students with feedback on their progress throughout the course. Studies show that student learning is enhanced with frequent practice, so distributing these opportunities throughout the course can lead to a practical learning experience.

Formative assessments that aren’t graded are learning activities.

While not always the case, high-stakes assessments are typically associated with higher assessment value/score and low-stakes with lower. Marrying the two approaches can help create a more robust and effective learning experience.

Adapted from Daph C. and Ruth H. (2021). High-Stakes and Low-Stakes Assessment. Memorial University of Newfoundland.

How To

Assessment choices

Checklist

The following Quality Matters™ specific standards provide a good checklist for course assessments:

3.1 The assessments measure the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies.
3.2 The course grading policy is stated clearly at the beginning of the course.
3.3 Specific and descriptive criteria are provided for the evaluation of learners’ work, and their connection to the course grading policy is clearly explained.
3.4 The assessments used are sequenced, varied, and suited to the level of the course.
3.5 The course provides learners with multiple opportunities to track their learning progress with timely feedback.

Additional Resources

Writing Center
Contact The Rose Warner Writing & Critical Thinking Center at CSS for assistance on written assignments.
Center for Curricular Design (CCD). (2024). 4D Competencies Framework.
The name (4D) refers to the four dimensions – Knowledge, Skills, Character, and Meta-Learning – students need to serve themselves and society. The authors break down the three dimensions into competencies and subcompetencies to help instructors create more effective, focused, logical, and relevant lessons. CCR wrote Education for the Age of AI.
AI Resilient Classroom Experiences and Assignments. CTLA Half-Day Professional Development Workshop, May 13, 2025. A handout, resources, and a recording (40m) are available.
Pritts, N. (2025, March 19). Supporting the Instructional Design Process: Stress-Testing Assignments with AI. Faculty Focus.
Here’s How to Make Your Assessments AI Resilient (while still supporting student learning). (2025, February 28). Harmonize.
Assessment Resources. Memorial University of Newfoundland has several excellent resources here, including End-of-Course Assessment Options, High-Stakes and Low-Stakes Assessments, Open-Book Assessments, and Promoting Academic Integrity Through Assessment Design.
Asynchronous Discussion Strategies (Google Doc)
Quiz Strategies (Google Doc)
ChatGPT Assignments to Use in Your Classroom Today (2023)
Contains 60+ practical assignment prompts and ideas across disciplines to assist with teaching skills for using AI tools, including prompt engineering, evaluating output, analyzing texts, writing, generating content, studying, and career planning.

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