Alternative assessments

Feeling stuck with your choice of assessment?

With "alternative assessment," we refer to various assessment methods that differ from conventional exams such as multiple-choice or open-form exams, essays, etc. Many other types of assessments may be appropriate for your course. These kinds of assessments may be more motivating and engaging for students and assess different types of skills at the same time. They can strengthen the focus on real-world application and higher-order thinking skills (such as critical thinking or problem-solving). They may also help in the quest for greater efficiency in assessment.
NB. If you first like to check out what the considerations are when you want to choose a suitable assessment form, please have a look at "Designing Assessment".

Forms of alternative assessment

Innovative assessment comes in many types and forms. Current trends include:

1. Authentic (or performance-based) assessment: emphasis on authentic assessment tasks that require students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world contexts, e.g., simulations, presentations, projects, etc.
2. Digital assessment: to facilitate the assessment process as well as collaboration through tools such as online portfolios, interactive multimedia projects, video submissions, online discussions, etc. 
3. Formative assessment: to provide timely and actionable information for students to improve their understanding and performance.
4. Student-led and reflective assessments: empowering students to take ownership of their learning and assessment by involving them in setting goals, selecting assessment methods, and engaging in reflective practices.

For inspiration, we have put together a list of alternative assessment forms. We love to supplement the list with more ideas and practical examples. So, please send us your ideas and examples and we add them to this list or as highlighted examples.

Some inspirational examples:

Further reading and sources

If you would like to read more about innovative assessment, we recommend the following sources:

• For a very nice site about (innovative) assessment methods and how to choose a suitable one, click here. Including a list of methods. 
• For assessment through role-play and simulations, click here.
• For information on authentic assessment, click here or here.

Overviews of assessment methods en tips for selecting a suitable one:

• Online & Alternative Assessment Ideas - Centre for Teaching and Learning - Western University (uwo.ca)
• Alternative Online Assessments | Resource Library | Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning | University of Calgary (ucalgary.ca)
• Engagement in assessment – A-Z of assessment methods (reading.ac.uk)
• Compendium Of Assessment Techniques: from students’ perspectives (leeds.ac.uk)
• Choosing-and-using-fit-for-purpose-assessment-methods.pdf (hw.ac.uk)
• Selecting Assessment Methods | UNSW Teaching Staff Gateway
  
  

 _{Authors: Helma Vlas & Francesca Maria Frittella, originally published for Teaching Academy - BMS.}