Aligning assessments to learning objectives facilitates measuring student learning. Using a variety of assessment measures can provide a deeper understanding of student growth.
Direct and Indirect Measures of Learning
After defining learning objectives, the next step is to determine how student achievement will be measured. Assessment measures typically fall into two categories: direct and indirect measures. A combination of both direct and indirect measures can provide a better understanding of student success.
Example measures
| Direct measures | Indirect measures |
|---|---|
| Course-based exams/quizzes Course-based assignments Rubric-graded assessments Pre/Post tests Portfolios Experiential education performance Capstone projects Performances Presentations Licensure exams Certifications National or standardized exams | National surveys Locally-developed student surveys Exit surveys Alumni surveys Employer surveys Interviews Focus groups Student self-assessments |
Aligning assessments to objectives
Assessments of student learning reveals how well students have mastered the intended knowledge, skills, or attitudes. By aligning assessments and learning objectives, the assessments serve as an indicator of the depth of student learning for the learning objective. Without alignment of learning objectives and assessments, it is difficult to ascertain if or what students have learned. The measurable verb contained in the learning objective can guide selection of the assessment.
Examples of assessment alignment and misalignment
| Learning objective | Alignment | Misalignment |
|---|---|---|
| When a student graduates, they will be able to apply analytical skills | Project requiring the student to create a solution to an environmental issue | Open-ended question asking student to explain the scientific method |
| When a student graduates, they will be able to develop a business plan | Paper which requires student to write a business plan | Discussion post about the parts of a business plan |
| What a student graduates, they will be able to list the 50 states | Open-ended question asking student to list all state names | Project requiring student to draw a map of the United States, mark the time zones, and label major bodies of water |