Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-assessment
The “Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction to Student Assessment” course on Coursera is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in education, from seasoned teachers to aspiring educators and even those looking to improve learning in a workplace setting. This course, part of a larger eight-course program, offers a deep dive into the critical area of student assessment, providing practical insights and theoretical grounding.
The syllabus is meticulously structured, starting with a foundational exploration of assessment theory and practice. It tackles the fundamental question of ‘What is the purpose of assessment?’ and examines how assessment, curriculum, teaching, and learning are intrinsically linked. The course doesn’t shy away from the global diversity of assessment practices and the cultural factors that can influence them.
A significant portion of the course is dedicated to the crucial role of feedback. It clearly outlines the characteristics of effective and ineffective feedback, offering strategies for incorporating it into teaching to genuinely improve student learning. The emphasis on understanding diverse student perspectives, including minority students, is particularly commendable.
Reporting student achievement is another key area covered, with a critical look at current approaches and the validity of standardized test scores. The course equips learners with tools for writing effective reports and providing feedback that drives improvement, while also addressing the need to adapt reporting for parents from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The practical aspects of assessment design are thoroughly explored. The course provides detailed guidelines for developing and using objectively answered questions, with a strong focus on writing multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that accurately measure knowledge and skills, rather than just ‘test-wiseness’.
Equally important is the module on human judgment scoring procedures. It delves into the challenges of assessing open-ended responses and provides practical guidance on using tools like rubrics and essay marking. The concepts of moderation and inter-rater reliability are explained, empowering learners to design valid and reliable assessment tasks.
Finally, the course concludes by exploring student involvement in assessment through self-assessment and peer assessment. It offers practical examples and highlights key considerations for implementing these engaging learning strategies.
Overall, “Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Introduction to Student Assessment” is a well-rounded, practical, and insightful course. It strikes an excellent balance between theory and application, making it highly recommendable for anyone looking to enhance their understanding and practice of student assessment.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-assessment