Developing Assessments

Developing assessments for a lesson follows a simple progression that begins with analyzing the audience to identify the knowledge students already possess, and to determine what knowledge and skills are needed.

Also included in the audience analysis is a profile of student’s motivation and the associated motivational goals. Once the learning outcomes are clarified, the content or learning activities should be organized to reach those learning objectives.

Measuring the degree to which each student has met the learning objectives will naturally follow. The learning objectives and assessments should also be aligned with the type of learning that is to occur.

The chart below illustrates this progression.

Chart by Marilyn Arnone