This seminar will focus on designing and developing formative and summative assessments for online, blended, and in-person courses.
Instructors are often challenged by the following assessment questions:
- How can assessments be part of the learning process?
- How can students practice authentic skills?
- What have my students learned?
- How will I know what they have learned?
- When should I assess my students?
- How can I modify the learning experience and/or instruction to help students meet my learning objectives?
- How can technology help with the design and administration of assessments?
- How can I reflect on my own instruction and evaluate the quality of my teaching?
This hands-on seminar will provide a variety of assessment models and approaches for participants to consider for their course. Curated readings and videos will be provided. Participants will have the opportunity to create assessments related to their course(s) as well as self-assessments of their teaching. Participants will share their ideas and work together to develop new assessment ideas.
The seminar will explore the following topics:
- Crafting meaningful learning objectives;
- Evaluating learning objectives;
- Formative and summative assessments;
- Assessments for in-person, blended, and online environments;
- Designing rubrics;
- Traditional and non-traditional forms of assessment;
- Reliability and validity issues;
- Working with our peers.
By the end of the seminar, participants will be able to design learning objectives that align with assessments and course goals; design various types of formative and summative assessments; design and apply various evaluative strategies for instruction; and present a coherent assessment plan.
When & Where
Seminar Schedule. Seminars run Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a midday communal lunch. Seminar conveners may adjust the class schedule in response to participant needs. Special events may also be held during the week. Participants are required to attend the full week of seminar meetings and maintain 90% attendance overall.
Seminar Materials. Eligible participants are provided with all required seminar materials (books, articles, laboratory equipment, and entrance fees).
Accommodations & Meals. Limited housing accommodations are provided to participants who live more than 50 miles from the program site. All admitted participants are provided with some meals during the program period.
Application Procedure. Applicants should submit the completed application along with all of the following:
- A statement of intent that indicates how the seminar participant will apply what is learned at the home institution
- A current CV
- A letter of support from either the division dean or department head, who is well-acquainted with the applicant’s area of research
- Their institutional liaison officer’s approval