Assessing Teaching and Learning

In this professional development video from Getting Results, Dr. John Bransford, professor of education at the University of Washington School of Education, as well as a community college statistics instructor and a course designer discuss assessment. Bransford explains that learning goals should include not only what is to be learned, but also how students will demonstrate knowledge and how they can be assessed throughout the course. The instructor is shown using questioning strategies to gauge her students’ learning. She explains that she measures her success as an instructor by that of her students. Bransford concludes, saying that the more knowledge teachers have, the more removed their level of understanding might be from that of their students. For this reason, building in assessments throughout the course, to monitor student understanding, helps improve instruction. The video is accompanied by a background essay and discussion questions. Users who sign up for a free account can download the video as well.