Planning steps
This guide to designing a teaching assessment is designed primarily for college and university faculty but can also be used by K-12 teachers. By following each step, you will create an assessment plan customized to your needs. While some of the tasks may seem self-evident, they are all necessary to create a valid assessment.
STEP 1: Describe the teaching context
Descriptions convey the objectives of the instructional activity, innovation or course and include information about the assessment purpose and intended uses. Use Worksheet A to help describe your teaching context.
View a completed example of Worksheet A.
STEP 2: Identify stakeholders and their needs
Identifying stakeholders (e.g. instructor, students, and department) and determining their needs helps to focus the assessment process so that the results are of the greatest utility. Use Worksheet B to help identify your stakeholders and needs.
View a completed example of Worksheet B.
STEP 3: Determine the assessment purpose using central questions
Identifying a clear purpose by using central questions helps determine how the assessment should be conducted. Use the first two columns of Worksheet C to help identify your assessment purpose.
STEP 4: Identify how you will use the assessment results
Identify how you will use the assessment results for each of your central questions. Uses should directly relate to the assessment's purpose. Record these intended uses in the third column of Worksheet C from Step 3.
View a completed example of all three columns for Worksheet C.
STEP 5: Create an assessment plan
The assessment plan is a detailed description of how the research will be implemented. Use the method selection tool, to help you determine the best way to gather your data.
See the additional tips for assistance in planning your assessment.
