Multiple Measures Ahead

My last posted concluded with the importance of multiple measures and flexible assessment. In today's world indicators of success stretch beyond basic cognitive skills and clear-cut actions. Higher and deeper learning is built on complex tasks that necessitate multidimensional assessments. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when striving for these outcomes.

PLANNED: Prior to teaching and learning identify the learning outcomes and the ways they will be measured. During teaching, keep in mind the types of questions that students will be required to complete. Be sure to incorporate the necessary factual knowledge, practice for applying learning, and opportunities for evaluation, synthesis, and creation. Why would you start a race that had no ending point or even worse a constantly changing one?

PLACED: Consider when to assess and why. Do you want to determine incoming knowledge, student improvement, learning gaps, inquiry skills, or a review before the unit test? Assessment prior to learning identifies a starting point. During learning it offers direction, indications of road hazards, and guidance for next steps. After instruction it is a way to be sure that goals were achieved so there are no surprises on the summative.

PURPOSEFUL: Every assessment must have a purpose. Consider whether the assessment is aimed at recall of prior learning, tracking progress, displaying understanding, transfer of learning, or summarizing. A three legged race may assess collaboration but won't tell you which student is the fastest and multiple choice questions are not well suited for displaying creativity. To safeguard validity, select assessments intentionally.