These are our working definitions to help us with shared meaning on assessment issues.
- Alignment
- The goals, interventions, and assessments are linked and support each other.
- Assessment
- A process of observing and measuring something with the intent to determine its effectiveness or condition. Assessment generates the evidence we need to make informed decisions.
- Evaluation
- A process of observing and measuring something with the intent to determine its value or quality.
- Evidence
- Outward signs or things that provide proof about the subject matter or the claims.
- Goal
- Your area’s desired accomplishments or aspirations, written broadly. These could include any factors representing your area’s values, function, contribution to society, or impact on learning.
- Intervention
- Intentional activities or structures enacted to accomplish a goal or generate change. (Teaching is a kind of intervention.)
- Learning
- A change in knowledge, skills, or attitudes that persists over time.
- Learning Outcome
- A type of goal representing the knowledge, skills or attitudes every learner who successfully completes an educational experience can demonstrate in an observable way.
- Measure
- Qualitative or quantitative evidence indicating the degree, quality or rationale.
- Method
- The procedure, technique, process, or mode of inquiry employed to accomplish something.
- Teaching
- Actions to induce a desired change in knowledge, skills, or attitudes in another.
