How can I reflect my Outcomes Based Assessment practice in my course outline?
Connect the ‘assessment’ section of the outline to the outcomes either by strand or individual outcome:
By strand might look like this for English:
This class has ten outcomes that describe what you need to understand, know, and be able to do. They include outcomes in three categories:
- How effectively you can take in key details and understand by reading, listening, and viewing, called Comprehend and Respond 32%
- How well you write, speak, and create visuals, called Compose and Create 54%
- How successfully you set goals, reflect, and think about your learning, called Assess and Reflect 14%
By outcome might look like this for Arts Education:
- CP9.1 Create dance compositions that express perspectives and raise awareness about a topic of concern to youth 6%
- CP9.2 Investigate and use choreographic processes 4%
*Ensure that students understand the outcome including technical language. I’ve even heard of a teacher who co-writes with their class a common understanding of each outcome on the outline next to the provincial outcomes. This process keeps the technical language, but ensures students understand what the outcome means.
Consider providing examples of evidence which could demonstrate outcome attainment:
CP9.1 Create dance compositions that express perspectives and raise awareness about a topic of concern to youth 6% Evidence of learning may include, but is not limited to: Inquiry map, Dance journal, Phase choreography
Perhaps include levels of proficiency such as with this physical education example:
Outcome: I can improve my movement and tactics by breaking them into parts and practicing them
- Not Yet Meeting Expectations: Does not identify components of a movement or apply them to practice
- Beginning to Meet Expectations: Identifies some components of a movement and practices only with guidance
- Proficient in Meeting Expectations: Consistently identifies all components of a movement and practices to enhance performance. Accepts and applies feedback.
- Exceeding Expectations: Independently and accurately practices all components of a movement. Self reflects and seeks feedback.
Communicate how the grade will be organized by outcomes such as this example from math:
You will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate your understanding of each outcome on quizzes and unit exams. This will form the basis of your evaluation. Quizzes will most often target a specific outcome, while unit exams will be organized and separated by outcome. You will receive a mark for each outcome, rather than one mark for each unit. (Therefore on unit exams you will be given multiple marks – one for each outcome). This way you will know exactly what you know and what you don’t know yet.
These are some quick tips and tricks to help with the creation of your course outlines. For further discussion and ideas on this topic check out this blog.