How do you align your formative and summative assessments with your learning objectives and outcomes?

1 What are formative and summative assessments?

Formative and summative assessments are two types of assessments that serve different purposes and functions in the learning process. Formative assessments are ongoing and informal assessments that occur throughout the learning experience. They are used to monitor the learners' understanding, identify gaps, provide feedback, and adjust the instruction accordingly. Examples of formative assessments include quizzes, polls, checklists, self-assessments, peer feedback, and observation. Summative assessments are formal and final assessments that occur at the end of the learning experience. They are used to evaluate the learners' achievement, performance, and mastery of the learning objectives and outcomes. Examples of summative assessments include tests, exams, projects, portfolios, and presentations.

2 Why is alignment important?

Alignment is the process of ensuring that the assessments match the learning objectives and outcomes, and that they measure what they intend to measure. Alignment is important for several reasons. First, it ensures validity and reliability of the assessments, which means that they are accurate and consistent in measuring the learners' learning. Second, it ensures alignment of the curriculum, instruction, and assessment, which means that they are coherent and integrated in supporting the learners' learning. Third, it ensures alignment of the expectations, criteria, and feedback, which means that they are clear and consistent for the learners and the trainer.

3 How to align formative assessments?

In order to align formative assessments with your learning objectives and outcomes, you must first identify the statements that describe what the learners should know, do, or feel as a result of the learning experience. Then select the appropriate formative assessment methods and tools that match these objectives. Design the formative assessment questions, tasks, or activities that align with the learning objectives and outcomes. Finally, implement the formative assessment strategies and techniques that align with these objectives, such as administering, monitoring, and providing feedback on the formative assessments.

4 How to align summative assessments?

To ensure your summative assessments are aligned with your learning objectives and outcomes, you must first identify the statements that describe what the learners should know, do, or feel as a result of the learning experience. Then, select the assessment methods and tools that match the objectives. Additionally, design assessment questions, tasks, or activities that align with the learning objectives and outcomes. Finally, implement assessment strategies and techniques that align with the objectives and outcomes to administer, grade, and report on the summative assessments.

5 How to check alignment?

In order to ensure that your assessments are in line with your learning objectives and outcomes, you should consider five criteria: relevance, coverage, balance, rigor, and fairness. Your assessments should measure what is important for the learners' learning and not leave out or overemphasize any of the learning objectives or outcomes. Additionally, they should accurately measure the different types and levels of learning, as well as the appropriate level of difficulty and complexity. Finally, they should be fair and unbiased towards all learners.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?