Assessment and Feedback

What is Assessment?

Assessment refers to the methods and tools educators use to evaluate learners’ knowledge, skills, and progress. In a polytechnic setting, assessments are designed to measure not only academic achievement but also practical, hands-on competencies relevant to industry standards. By aligning assessments with real-world applications, educators help learners build the skills they need for the workforce while also developing their critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities.

What is Feedback?

Feedback is guidance or insight that helps learners grow and improve. Through feedback, instructors can highlight learner strengths, areas for improvement, and actionable steps to continue building skills. Instructors might also use peer feedback or learner self-assessment to foster a collaborative learning environment and encourage learners to take ownership of their learning. Finally, instructors may seek feedback from learners about their teaching and use this insight to reflect on and adapt their teaching approaches.

Why They Matter

Assessment and feedback are important for:

• Providing learners with opportunities to demonstrate what they know and receive actionable guidance for improvement
• Building learner confidence and independence by identifying strengths and addressing areas for growth
• Encouraging learners to take an active role in their learning process

In-depth Resources

Click on the topics below to learn more.

• Principles of Assessment Design
• Formative Assessment Strategies
• Summative Assessment Strategies
• Creating Rubrics