Beyond the Grade: Designing Meaningful Student Assessments

THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR KPU FACULTY.

Facilitators: Sam Kirk and Daniel Benzimra
Dates and locations: 6-part series (attend all sessions)
- Session 1: Wed, Oct 15, 10:00-11:30AM, blended (online (Zoom link provided in registration email confirmation) or in person (Surrey campus, Arbutus 2410))
- Session 2: Fri, Oct 24, 9:30AM-12:30PM, in person, KPU Surrey campus, Arbutus 2410 (2nd floor library)
- Session 3: Fri, Oct 31, 9:30AM-12:30PM, in person, KPU Surrey campus, Arbutus 2410 (2nd floor library)
- Session 4: Fri, Nov 7, 9:30AM-12:30PM, in person, KPU Surrey campus, Arbutus 2410 (2nd floor library)
- Session 5: Fri, Nov 14, 9:30AM-12:30PM, in person, KPU Surrey campus, Arbutus 2410 (2nd floor library)
- Session 6: Fri, Nov 21, 9:30AM-12:30PM, blended (online (Zoom link provided in registration email confirmation) or in person (Surrey campus, Arbutus 2410))

Well-designed assessments support students to better understand expectations, engage meaningfully with course content, and demonstrate their learning in authentic ways while developing a growth mindset. These practices not only support academic achievement but also foster a sense of purpose and belonging, which are critical to student motivation and retention. Activities and assessments that mirror professional tasks or community challenges boost engagement by showing students how their learning applies beyond the classroom.  

Instructors will gain practical strategies to enhance learning, boost engagement, and create a more inclusive and rewarding educational experience—one where students don’t just stay but thrive. 

Session 1: Kick-Off

This session will open the series by exploring the values and goals that shape meaningful assessment, inviting participants to reflect on current challenges, aspirations, and what they want more - or less - of in their assessment practices. It will also introduce the upcoming sessions in the series, each offering practical strategies to support student success through thoughtful, inclusive, and innovative assessment design. 

Session 2: Assessment Design

This session will offer practical guidance on assessment design around the three assessment types (Diagnostic, Formative, and Summative), constructive alignment, crafting clear assignment instructions, and creating assessments that support and promote student success. 

Session 3: Authentic and Alternative Assessments  

This session will offer practical guidance on designing authentic and alternative assessments that reflect real-world tasks, support diverse ways of demonstrating learning, and enhance student engagement and motivation through meaningful application. 

Session 4: High-Impact and Inclusive Assessment Practices 

This session will offer practical guidance on integrating high-impact and inclusive practices - such as ePortfolios, open education, experiential learning, UDL, and antiracist pedagogy - to create more equitable, engaging, and transformative learning experiences for all students. 

Session 5: Evaluation, Innovation, Grading, and Feedback 
This session will offer practical guidance on designing effective rubrics, exploring innovative grading approaches (such as ungrading, minimal grading, and mastery-based grading) and delivering compassionate, constructive feedback that supports deeper learning and student growth. 

Session 6: Using Technology to Support Assessment Practices

This session will offer practical guidance on leveraging tools like Moodle, Padlet, H5P, and Poodll to design engaging assessments, streamline grading with Gradebook, and enhance feedback and interaction through technology-supported strategies.

Through engaging in the activities and content of this workshop, you have the opportunity to 

• Identify key principles of effective assessment design, including assessment type and constructive alignment. 

• Apply strategies for creating authentic, inclusive, and high-impact assessments that promotes student demonstration of learning and success. 

• Evaluate grading and feedback practices to support student motivation, equity, and deeper learning. 

• Experiment with educational technologies to design, deliver, and manage assessments that enhance student engagement and success.