What is the difference between course grades and learning outcomes assessment?
Are you able to explain an assessment topic and engage an audience with limited knowledge or experience in under 3 minutes?
In the first in our series of 3-Minute Assessment Talks (3MATs), we focus on the differences between course grades and learning outcomes assessment.
Grading (individual assignments/final course grades) and learning outcomes assessment (at the course or program level) should always be viewed as complementary activities which work together to support and improve teaching and learning. They both aim to identify what students have learned; they just approach it differently. It’s valuable to have specific and quick examples at your disposal on the differences between the two, as this question comes up a lot. Furthermore, this is a great conversation starter for engaging people in assessment and, some may argue, the most important to make clear from the beginning.
