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 Many contemporary assessment practices are based on inherited pedagogies or outdated visions of education which no longer serve students in times of information abundance, disruptive technologies, and changing educational landscapes.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