Lesson Objectives

  • Explain principles of constructive alignment and K-12 assessment guidelines for instructional planning.
  • Recognize the importance of aligning learning activities with assessments for student success.
  • Construct an assessment task that aligns with learning outcomes and instructional context.

Assessment Definitions

  • Measurement: Qualification of learning through tests, scales, checklists.
  • Assessment: Process of using data to improve learning.
  • Evaluation: Judging based on standards.
  • Reliability: Consistent results over time.
  • Summative Assessment: Measures learning at the end of units/quarters.
  • Content Standard: Identifies essential knowledge learners should have.

Standard-Based Assessment

  • Focuses on judgments about learning levels against expected benchmarks, supporting a shift towards assessment for learning.
  • Aligns assessments with specific academic standards and evaluates students based on criteria rather than peer comparison.
  • Utilizes formative assessments for real-time feedback.

Constructive Alignment

  • Combines constructivism (learners create meaning) with curriculum alignment (defining and achieving learning outcomes).
  • Requires coherence among assessment, teaching strategies, and intended learning outcomes as per Biggs' model.

Steps in Constructive Alignment Implementation

  1. Identify Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs).
  2. Design Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs).
  3. Develop Assessment Tasks (ATs).
  4. Implement aligned teaching activities.
  5. Evaluate and reflect on assessment results.

K-12 Assessment Guidelines

  • Content Standards: What learners should know (e.g., fractions in Mathematics, Grade 5).
  • Performance Standards: Skills and abilities learners must demonstrate.
  • Learning Competencies: Knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed in lessons.

Assessment Types

  • Formative Assessment: Conducted during instruction, focuses on monitoring progress and providing feedback.
    • Examples: Quizzes, group activities, discussions.
  • Summative Assessment: Conducted after a unit to evaluate learning for grading.
    • Examples: Quarterly exams, final exams.

Components of Summative Assessment

  1. Written Works (WW): Assess skills and concepts in writing.
  2. Performance Tasks (PT): Show what learners can do creatively.
  3. Quarterly Assessment (QA): Assess learning at the end of the quarter.