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For years, I assessed in chunks of quiz/test/lab report and averaged the scores together. While I still collect information from students using those tools, I now structure feedback and assessment according to the learning objectives I've written for my courses. Assessment by objective seems like a small change, but it has a huge impact on student mindset and learning. It helps to correct inequitable and racist practices in my former system of assessment. It helps to align instruction and assessment with what I want my students to take away from my course.
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Combining the influence of numerous master teachers, I've written up some of my experiences, hints, and ideas about Assessment by learning objective below.
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Note on terms: Assessment by learning objective is widely called Standards-Based Grading. I think of standards as items written by federal or state agencies that set the overall direction of courses, whereas learning objectives are a teacher's translation of standards into student-friendly, pedagogically useful statements that reflect the goals and activities of the course. Additionally, for me assessment as a process of eliciting understanding and generating feedback, while grading refers to placing a numerical or letter value on student work.
Sample Course Learning Objectives
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Physics (Introductory Algebra-Trig based Modeling Physics course, 9th grade)
Chemistry (Introductory Chemistry, 11th grade)
Astronomy and Modern Physics (Semester elective grades 10-12)
Engineering Principles (Semester elective grades 10-12)
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