I have learned that having a plan is very important when it comes to teaching because it shows the student organizational skills.
It is important to include rubrics so students understand how they meet the criteria of each assignments.
Rubrics are essential but students need to understand the meaning and the expectation of them. Many times it is just the number they are looking for.
Rubrics can be powerful tools to help both instructors and students know the expectation of the assignment. They can also help students self-evaluate and peer-evaluate their assignments. Rubrics can be used as a feedback tool as well.
Comment on Benji Lewis's post: This is a great info! Thank you!
A few things were great to learn about, but one is the most interesting to me - Peer Assessment.
Several positive aspects to it, and a few important details to consider placing student's output for someone to assess.
Great learning setup and additional engagement element that is encouraging a deeper commitment to a good learning!
I’ve learned that a strong assessment plan is essential for guiding student learning and measuring progress effectively. Key components include developing clear assessment strategies aligned with learning objectives, creating rubrics to ensure consistency and transparency, and incorporating both self-assessment and peer assessment to promote student reflection and engagement. Additionally, providing meaningful feedback is crucial for helping students understand their strengths and areas for improvement. I plan to apply these concepts by designing assessments that not only evaluate learning outcomes but also support student growth. I’ll use detailed rubrics, encourage peer and self-review activities, and provide timely, constructive feedback to foster a deeper learning experience.
The content was effective and found in many online preparation for new faculty. The rubrics employed are excellent.
Feedback should always be informative on how students can improve.
A take away from this module is that if your feedback is not meaningful it will not promote improvements from the student. Your feedback should be specific on how the student can improve while providing encouragement as well.
Formative assessments are necessary in tracking student learning and progress throughout a unit. They can help the instructor determine gaps in student understanding and adjust lessons where necessary before a final summative assessment.
I have a clear understanding about formative assessments, which are ongoing and focused on providing feedback, as well as summative assessments, which serve as final evaluations. I also have a better understanding of the use of rubrics as a clear criteria for grading. As an instructor, I intend to use formative assessments to monitor my students' progress continuously and provide constructive feedback that guides improvement.
Formative assessments should be embedded in instruction and designed to improve the course and the learning. They are a simple method by which you can frequently assess student progress and adjust instructional strategies. This allows for differentiated learning to meet the learning styles of our diverse learners. Formative assessment should be an ongoing part of the teaching and learning process.
The comment that grading and assessment is about elevating the learning not justifying the grade really resonates with me.
I learned how important it is to balance formative and summative assessments and give students clear rubrics and meaningful feedback. I plan to apply this by designing assessments that help students grow over time and by giving timely, constructive feedback to guide their learning.
One of the key takeaways from this section is the importance of feedback. Being certain to connect the feedback to the learning objectives. Many times I have considered that the rubric is the feedback, but the rubric is just the justification of the grade. Feedback should be in addition to the grade from the rubric. Also feedback needs to be individualized and specific, and tied to the learning objective so that the learner has a clear idea on how to improve.
An assessment tool should be applicable to the course objectives
In this module, we learned that meaningful feedback is essential to improve learning in online courses. Feedback should be clear, specific, linked to learning objectives, and adapted to the student’s needs. It’s also important to provide feedback in different formats (written, audio, visual) and to foster a positive relationship between the student and the instructor.
The importance of giving students feedback always.
This module helped me realize that a well-designed assessment plan is much more than just a list of quizzes and tests—it’s a strategic roadmap for measuring how well students are meeting learning objectives. One of the most important takeaways for me was the idea that assessment should be ongoing, purposeful, and varied. It’s not just about assigning grades, but about using the results to guide instruction and support student growth.
I also gained a better understanding of the difference between formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments, like quick check-ins, reflections, or discussions, can help me adjust my teaching in real time. Summative assessments, on the other hand, help evaluate what students have learned at the end of a unit or course. Both are essential for giving students meaningful feedback and improving the overall learning experience.
Moving forward, I plan to:
Align all assessments directly with course objectives, so students know exactly what they’re expected to learn and why.
Incorporate more low-stakes, formative assessments to give students regular feedback and reduce test anxiety.
Offer choices when possible in how students demonstrate their learning—through written work, presentations, or creative projects.
Use rubrics more consistently to ensure transparency and fairness in grading.
Ultimately, this module reminded me that assessment isn’t just about evaluation—it’s a powerful tool for encouraging learning, reflection, and continuous improvement.
