Assessment is the process of evaluating student learning, skills, and performance to determine whether they have achieved the intended course learning outcomes (CLOs). Effective assessments align directly with CLOs and provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in meaningful ways. Assessments not only measure student progress but also support learning by providing constructive feedback to guide improvement. When creating assessment descriptions, it is essential to ensure that the instructions are clear and include the grading criteria that will be used to evaluate student work.
Grading Criteria Overview
Grading criteria define how student performance will be evaluated for each assessment. Clear, consistent criteria ensure that grading is fair, transparent, and aligned with the goals of the course. Different types of grading criteria may include:
- Point Systems: Assigning numerical values to specific elements of an assignment.
- Checklists: Outlining required components or steps that students must complete.
- Holistic Assessment: Evaluating the overall quality of work based on general performance descriptors.
- Rubrics: Detailed frameworks that outline specific expectations and performance levels for various aspects of an assignment.
While all grading criteria have their place, rubrics are the most comprehensive and effective tool for evaluating student work in a fair and transparent manner.
Using Rubrics for Assessment Evaluation
Rubrics are structured tools that break down assignments into key criteria and describe performance across different levels, such as exemplary, proficient, developing, and beginning.
Benefits of Rubrics:
- Clarity: Clearly communicate expectations to students.
- Consistency: Ensure grading is uniform across all submissions.
- Feedback: Provide targeted feedback on strengths and areas for improvement.
- Alignment: Directly link to CLOs, ensuring assessments measure intended outcomes.
Components of a Rubric:
- Criteria: The aspects of the assignment that will be evaluated (e.g., clarity of argument, use of evidence, creativity).
- Performance Levels: Descriptions of performance quality (e.g., exemplary, proficient, needs improvement).
- Descriptors: Detailed explanations of what is required to achieve each performance level for each criterion.
EXAMPLE: Alien Technology 101 Assessment Description with Rubric
Here is a sample assessment description for the fictional course, Alien Technology 101.
Assessment Title: Technology Analysis Report
Purpose of Assessment: The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate your ability to analyze alien-inspired technologies by exploring their theoretical principles, functions, and potential real-world applications. This report will allow you to apply critical thinking and research skills to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and innovative engineering solutions.
Value (%): This assignment is worth 20% of your course grade.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
- CLO 2: Create conceptual designs for extraterrestrial devices by integrating theoretical knowledge of alien materials, energy systems, and structural frameworks into functional prototypes.
Task: In this report, you will research and analyze a fictional alien technology, compare its principles and functions to current human systems, evaluate its potential real-world applications, and reflect on the use of AI tools in your research and writing process.
Time Commitment: This assignment should take you approximately 6-8 hours to complete.
How to Complete This Assessment
- Research and Selection: Choose an alien technology that you know of or would like to learn more about. Use credible sources to gather details about its principles and functions.
- Comparative Analysis: Compare the alien technology to existing human technologies, focusing on similarities, differences, and potential advantages or challenges.
- Applications and Implications: Discuss how the technology could be adapted for human use, addressing potential societal, ethical, or environmental concerns.
- AI Integration: Document where and how AI tools were used in your process. AI should be used only as a supporting tool to brainstorm or draft an outline.
- Write a Report: Compose a 1000-1200 word report covering your research findings, comparisons, and implications.
- Reflection: Include a 150-200 word reflection on how using AI impacted your workflow and the quality of your report.
Grading Criteria
| Criteria | Exemplary | Proficient | Emerging | Not Included |
| Research and Evidence | Comprehensive research with diverse, credible sources; clear documentation of AI use. | Thorough research with mostly credible sources; adequate AI documentation. | Limited research with few credible sources; minimal AI documentation. | Little to no research; no AI documentation provided. |
| Comparative Analysis | Insightful, detailed comparison of alien and human technologies with critical evaluation. | Clear comparison with some evaluation of key similarities and differences. | Basic comparison with limited evaluation of similarities and differences. | Incomplete or unclear comparison; no evaluation provided. |
| Applications and Implications | Creative and well-supported discussion of real-world applications and societal implications. | Reasonable discussion of applications and societal implications, with minor gaps. | Basic discussion of applications or societal implications, with significant gaps. | Minimal or unclear discussion of applications and implications. |
| AI Reflection | Thoughtful, critical reflection on AI’s role in research and writing, with clear examples. | Reflection on AI use with some examples; minor gaps in critical analysis. | Basic reflection on AI use; limited detail or examples. | No reflection on AI use or examples provided. |
| Organization and Clarity | Exceptionally clear, logical structure; professional tone and language throughout. | Clear structure and tone, with minor lapses in organization or language. | Some structure and clarity issues; language occasionally inconsistent. | Unclear or disorganized structure; unprofessional tone or language. |
How to Submit Your Assessment:
Assignments can be submitted as a Microsoft Word document to the Moodle Dropbox by the provided due date.
How to Cite References:
Provide references in APA format for information discussed in this assessment description. For more information on citing sources in APA format, please review the “How to Cite” resources from The Learning Portal. Click on the “APA” tab under “Citation Examples”.
Artificial Intelligence Use:
Students are permitted to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT or other AI-based assistants, to support their assignments; however, all AI-generated content must be properly cited to maintain academic integrity and transparency. Any text, idea, or concept taken from an AI tool must be cited, including direct quotes, paraphrased content, or AI-suggested outlines. Students must also provide a link to their AI-generated chat or transcript as an appendix in their assignment to allow instructors to cross-reference AI contributions. AI should be used as a tool for learning, not as a substitute for critical thinking, and students must demonstrate their understanding by analyzing, interpreting, or expanding upon AI-generated content in their own words. Assignments must reflect students’ own thoughts, synthesis, and critical engagement with the topic, ensuring that AI does not replace their intellectual effort. Any failure to cite AI-generated text appropriately or present AI-generated work as entirely original may be considered a breach of academic integrity.
✐ Blueprint in Action
Decoding the Cosmos of Assessment
Use the Assessment Description Template to craft clear, engaging, and transparent evaluations that keep students on course for interstellar achievement!