Designing the learning environment

4. Define your assessment strategy

Assessment is a critical part of learning. Without it, learners will not receive the feedback to clarify misconceptions, have the opportunity to improve their skills through practice, or strengthen their recall of what they are learning. Assessment provides a way for learners to decide how to steer their efforts to improve. It is a sort of GPS for learning. 

Assessment can take many forms, from a Quiz, an Assignment, or an evaluation of participation in Forums and other activities. Assessment can be done by teachers, by peer learners, or by self-assessment by the learner.

Quizzes allow for standard numerical grades based on correct answers. Assignments are more flexible, and while they also can be assigned numerical grades, grading rubrics can communicate to learners the more subjective criteria for judging their work. Assignments can include uploaded files, provide a place to grade activities done offline, or even to assign a participation graded. Forums can use rating schemes that allow the teacher and peer learners to contribute to assessment of a learner's discussion forum posts. 

All of these assessment forms are treated in Unit 4, but you will need to consider them in designing the learning environment as well, especially in regards to how they to communicated about them to learners. 1.2.2 Provide learning assessment information in this unit covers tools for doing this.