Assessment Series

Description

The Assessment Series includes two to four workshops a year that address a range of assessment topics, such as:

  • designing effective rubrics
  • writing multiple-choice questions to assess higher order thinking
  • designing effective essay questions
  • item analysis for multiple-choice questions
  • assessing learning online.

2025-26 Series

Writing effective multiple-choice items (MCIs) can be challenging, especially when the goal is to assess higher order thinking. In this workshop, we'll explore how to design MCIs that are aligned with specific learning outcomes and support deeper cognitive learning. Participants will learn to identify different types of MCIs, recognize common mistakes in question writing that undermine question quality, and apply best-practice guidelines for writing questions that assess higher order thinking skills. The use of generative AI to support MCI writing, assessing, or revising will also be discussed. The session will include hands-on opportunities to evaluate and revise existing items to improve their clarity and alignment with learning outcomes.


Assessment design and practice are central to providing meaningful learning experiences. Many contemporary assessment practices are based on inherited pedagogies or outdated visions of education which no longer serve students in times of information abundance, disruptive technologies, and changing educational landscapes.

This workshop will introduce participants to alternative (alt) assessments that move beyond traditional or historic assessment practices. Alt assessment can support diverse learner needs, increase learner engagement, and result in more impactful learning experiences. In this session, we will explore various approaches to re-imagining assessment, including ungrading, peer- and self- assessment, open educational practices, project-based learning and more! This session will be of interest to any instructors who are interested in exploring more equitable and engaging forms of assessment and evaluation that respond to changes in higher education environments.

Learning Outcomes:

In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to do the following:

  1. Explore different approaches to alt assessment
  2. Consider the positive potential for alt assessment for both learners and the teaching team
  3. Identify alt assessment techniques that align with their teaching values, disciplinary expectations, pedagogical goals, and contextual constraints
  4. Adapt an existing assessment or grading practice to integrate one possible small change

Series Information

Upcoming Sessions

Re-imagining Assessment: An Introduction to Alternative Assessment and Grading Practices: March 12th, 9:30-11:20 a.m. Register here

Audience

New and/or experienced Western instructors, librarians, and archivists from all disciplinary backgrounds.

Registration

Registration Instructions

  1. Login to Western Connect using your Western username and password.
  2. Go to the Event Calendars section and select the Centre for Teaching and Learning calendar, then select the program you wish to register in. Details and a description of the program will appear.
  3. Select the Register for this Event button. If the event has reached capacity, you may have the option to register on the waitlist.
  4. You will receive an automated confirmation email to your Western email account. 
 If you have any questions or problems registering for an event, please consult our help guide or contact ctl@uwo.ca.

Offered

Typically two to four times per year.  Check Event Calendar for future dates.

Slides from Past Sessions

2023-24 Series

Embedding Flexibility in your Assessments: A Hands-On Workshop

November 27, 2023

2022-23 Series

Writing Multiple-Choice Questions to Assess Higher Order Thinking

November 9, 2022

2021-22 Series

Writing Multiple-Choice Questions

October 19, 2021

The Good, the Bad and The Ugly: Item Analysis for Multiple-Choice Exams

November 17, 2021

2020-21 Series

Writing Multiple-Choice Questions to Assess Higher Order Thinking

October 28, 2020

Designing Effective Take Home Exams

November 19, 2020; Take Home Exams Resource Document

Implementing Group Exams and Group Projects

February 9 and 22, 2021

Strategies for Effective and Efficient Grading

March 8, 2020

2019-20 Series

Writing Multiple-Choice Questions to Assess Higher Order Thinking

October 23, 2019

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Item Analysis for Multiple Choice Exams

February 26, 2020

2018-19 Series

Writing Multiple-Choice Questions to Assess Higher Order Thinking

October 29, 2018

An Introduction to Teaching and Assessing with Cases

March 25, 2019

2017-18 Series

Writing Multiple-Choice Questions

October 23, 2017

Assessing with Rubrics

November 14, 2017

The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly: Item Analysis for Multiple-Choice Exams

March 5, 2018


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