Assessments
Many instructors approach assignment design with a "product" focus—that is to say, the choices they make about their assignments are oriented towards making sure that the final work that their students submit can be graded in such a way as to differentiate between those who were more and less successful. While assignments undeniably do play a significant role in determining students' grades, we know from both research and experience that students and instructors alike typically experience assignments as more meaningful when they are designed instead with a "process" mentality—that is to say, when instructors develop them with an eye to maximizing the amount of practice and feedback they generate.
Brandeis is committed to the academic success of all students. Assessment of student learning allows us to better understand teaching, learning and students' academic and co-curricular experiences at Brandeis. This portal offers information about assessment at Brandeis and provides resources about course learning goals, department and program learning goals and learning outcomes.
Learn more about the four key elements that characterize effective, process-oriented assignment prompts in any genre.
Learn more about effective ways that instructors can employ oral assessments, including presentations and oral exams, to complement or substitute for written assessments.