1. Role of Course File in Assessment
Provided by :
Role of Course File in Assessment
HEC Workshop on
Testing and Assessment
January 26 – February 03, 2009
Umar Faiz

2. Agenda The Challenge What is course file? Functions of Course File
What is course? (Unit and Lecture)
Contents of course File
Is Assessment Needed for Learning?
Relating Objectives of the course and Assessment
SMART Objectives

3. The Challenge
If I’m your student, what do I have to do to convince you that I’m where you want me to be at the end of this course.

4. What Course File?
 It is a sketch (blue print) of teaching activities under taken in the semester on a timeline.
It is the title given to a statement of the objectives to be realized and the specific means by which these are attained as a result of activities engaged during the Semester.

5. What Course File? (continued)
It is to define objectives of the course, selecting and arranging subject matter and determining method and procedure for delivery and assessment .
It is an outline of activities to be presented

6. Functions of Course File
Proper organization of coursework.
Logical development of theme.
Conducive environment for lively and interesting class sessions.
Avoids needless repetition.
Provides means and time for revision.

7. Course
Complete sequence of instructions that is presented to the pupils as a major division of a subject matter or discipline.
A course is usually an individual unit that forms a part of longer period of study
It is called module in Britain

8. Unit and Lecture Unit Lecture
A major subdivision of a course comprising planned instruction about some central theme, topic, issue, or problem for a period of several weeks.
Lecture
A unit or subdivision of a unit to be taught in a single Session.

9. Is Assessment Needed for Learning?
Individuals acquire a skill much more rapidly if they receive feedback about the correctness of what they have done. 
One of the most important roles for assessment is the provision of timely and informative feedback to students during instruction and learning so that their practice of a skill and its subsequent acquisition will be effective and efficient.

10. Relating Assessment and Objectives
Effective assessment is directly related to the intended learning outcomes
Learning outcomes must be clearly stated in terms of students performance

11. Objectives (SMART)
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time-bound

12. What is a Course File?
A Course File is a documented evidence of proposed plan of study, instructional activities, supporting resources and post-course artifacts related to a certain course offered in a semester.
A Course File evolves with the assignment of a semester course to an instructor right through to the submission of the result.
The Course File is to be prepared by the instructor and is to be maintained by the Department’s Course Coordinator for that course.
It is to be placed in a central location where it is readily available to all staff engaged in delivery of units from the course.

13. Contents of course File
Cover Letter
Objectives of the Course
Procedure of Attaining the objectives ( Teaching strategies)
Assessment Procedure
Attendance Record
Question Papers ( Mid+Final)
Marking Scheme (Model Answers+ Checking Hints)
Assignment Topics
Quizzes/ Class Participation
Evaluation Sheet
Photocopy of the Answer sheet (Highest Achiever)
Photocopy of the Answer sheet (Lowest Achiever)

14. Preparation of Course File
Provided by :
Preparation of Course File

15. Introduction
An introductory essay about the course to be taught

16. Approval
A letter addressed to Authority of Approval

17. Program/Course/Instructor Information
Program Information
Program Name/Ownership
Course Information
Course Name/Course Code/Credit Hours/Lab. hours
Instructor’s Name
Office Location/Office Hours/Phone Contact/ Contact/Personal webpage
Support Staff Information
Support Staff Office/Office hours/Contact
Class Information
Coordinates/Class Timings

18. Learning Outcomes
Student learning outcomes are the specific measurable goals and results that are expected subsequent to a learning experience.
These outcomes may involve knowledge (cognitive), skills (behavioral), or attitudes (affective behavior) that display evidence that learning has occurred as a result of a course or program
Generally, learning objectives are competency-based as they designate exactly what students need to do to demonstrate mastery of course material.

19. Course Description A general description of the course to be taught
Usually written in one or two passages

20. Course Objectives
Objectives focus on content and skills important within the classroom or course; what the instructor will do.

21. Goals, Objectives and Outcomes
Goals reflect the targets for a course or program. Goals are where you want to go, objectives are how you get there, and outcomes are proof that you have arrived.

22. Course Contents A topics coverage plan breakdown
Section-wise
Module-wise
Chapter-wise
Unit-wise
Mapping to the numbers of lectures to be delivered
Includes
Assessment Instruments to be executed

23. Weekly Lecture Plan
A lecture-wise breakdown of the course coverage

24. Table of Specifications
What is a Table of Specifications?
A Table of Specifications describes the topics to be covered by a test and the number of items or points which will be associated with each topic. Sometimes the types of items are described, as well.

25. Table of Specifications
Identify the domain to be assessed
Standards, objectives
What has been taught
Creating a table of specifications
Determine task types
Performance Task
Paper & Pencil Task

26. Table of Specifications
Basic Steps
List course goals
List objectives for goals
List instructional content corresponding to goals
Attach "values" to content indicating how prevalent certain types of questions should be on the test.
Create grid.

27. Table of Specifications
Basic Steps
List course goals
List objectives for goals
List instructional content corresponding to goals
Attach "values" to content indicating how prevalent certain types of questions should be on the test.
Create grid.

28. Table of Specifications
TOS Example
Topics
Levels in Bloom’s Taxonomy
Knowledge
Understanding
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
Introduction to Biochemisty 2 1
Water
Acid Base 5
Organic Compounds 3
Assessment Objectives (25 objectives)

29. Table of Specifications
TOS Example
Topics
Levels in Bloom’s Taxonomy
Knowledge
Understanding
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
Introduction to Biochemisty
10OT
2SQ
8 SQ
10SQ
9SQ
1EQ
Water
4OT
6SQ
8OT
2EQ
2OT
Acid Base
7SQ
Organic Compounds
6 OT
4SQ
3OT
Test Items
(SQ: Short Questions, EQ: Essay Question, OT: Objective-type

30. Sample Course File
Handout#1
Handout#2

31. Activity
Please go through the handout and prepare a sample course file yourself.