Assessment, a key point in learning

What does this tool have to do with learning?

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What do we usually need to assemble a dresser? Screws, a dresser (no doubt) and... A screwdriver! For someone putting together a piece of furniture, a nice rubber grip and a sharp tip can make the task much easier, even faster. However, a weak ferrule may hinder the final outcome.

In a similar way, in instructional design, assessment is a crucial component of a successful learning experience. Without a robust assessment, achieveing the desired outcomes becomes challenging.

This is probably what I have forgotten many times while delivering both in-person and online instruction: assessment. I've found myself focusing too much on what I am going to teach and how to teach it. Yes, teachers are continuously tasked with the content, the grades, and of course, the feedback, making us overlook the importance of assessment before designing instructional materials and learning activities. Dr. John Orlando refers to this as a habit that weighs heavy on our minds every time we start a new course. He adds that the best way of seeing someone do something is not neccesarily by selecting what to teach and how, but how to assess what is taught. It is by assessing what we expect from them, and at the expected level, that we can measure learning.

Assessment is crucial because it allows learners to demonstrate their understanding (the why of something) through new, challenging situations. Not assessing learners may seem fine for some, but dangerous. Can this approach potentially lead to achieve the outcomes expected? Should we not assess? Why? What is so scary about assessment? Assessing before, during and after a learning process is our high-quality ferrule turning the screws. This process helps ensure that learners are truly applying their knowledge (what Dr. John Orlando calls understanding).

While educational themes and instructional materials are relevant, assessment is not just an extra piece in a learning plan, but it is definitely one of the key components in design. This is the core of this post and a helpful recommendation I have come accross recently. Regardless of the skills or knowledge in question, avoiding assessment in learning may result in poor performance and unsuccessful completion of the outcomes expected. This is what, in my opinion, both education and the corporate world should aim at: better performance.

Why else do you think we should assess? Is it harmful to leave assessment out in the creation and design of courses?