Application-Based Assessments

Application-based assessments are cornerstone strategies for evaluating a student's capacity to apply knowledge and skills in authentic, real-world contexts. The following three methods move beyond simple knowledge recall to focus on demonstration, creation, problem-solving, and practical competence, often integrating critical thinking and collaboration skills.

If you'd like to consult with instructional designers about designing and creating an alternative assessment, please feel free to email idteam@ksu.edu.

Portfolio

What is it? A portfolio is a collection of students' work that demonstrates their progress and achievement. Artifacts can include research, essays, self-reflection, and resumes. Portfolios are especially useful for students as they look towards job applications, as they can showcase their best work.

Why is it Effective? Portfolios encourage students to reflect on and take ownership of their learning. They provide material for job applications and help faculty identify curriculum gaps.

How to Implement:

Example Artifacts: The portfolio might include: a final research paper, a record of a community service experience, a draft of a professional document (e.g., memo, technical report, resume), and a reflective analysis on how these items demonstrate mastery of three core learning objectives.

Structure: Portfolios can be physical or digital. Often, it is helpful for students to share their portfolio online or even via a QR code. You might require a cover letter or reflection essay that synthesizes the learning demonstrated by the artifacts, explicitly mapping key pieces of evidence to the course/program learning objectives.

Assessment: Students often appreciate the use of comprehensive scoring rubrics that evaluate the quality of the artifacts and the depth of the student's reflection.

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Project-Based (Group and Individual)

What is it? Project-based assessments involve extended tasks where students investigate a topic, solve a problem, or create a product. Students learn the material by completing a project, which may be multi-phased.

Why is it Effective? Project-Based Assessments (PBAs) assess learning by evaluating a product which can cover multiple subjects. They differ from tests by promoting critical thinking and going beyond rote memorization. Group projects also assess interpersonal skills like teamwork and collaboration, which are common in professional settings.

How to Implement:

Clear Parameters: Students will benefit from clearly defined project scope, duration, and the rubric or criteria for evaluation. While the final product is the ultimate goal, do not neglect to assess the process students take along the way.

Managing Group Work: Divide the project into sub-assignments (e.g., project plan, final product, peer evaluations). Individual assignments (like a reflection or paper) can be included within group assignments so the final score is composed of individual and group assessments.

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Scenario-Based Activities

You don't need to be a tech expert to create online interactive activities. The K-State Instructional Design team can help you transform your ideas and scripts into tangible interactive learning activities. Please visit the Interactive Activity Design page, or contact idteam@ksu.edu to discuss your project!

What is it? Scenario-based activities place learners in realistic situations where they apply knowledge, make decisions, and solve problems much as they would in real life. Through interactive, branched scenes, students navigate choices and experience consequences in a risk-free environment that mirrors the complexity of real-world decision-making.

Why is it Effective? Scenario-based activities show whether students can truly apply what they've learned, rather than simply recall it. Plus, scenarios are highly reusable and scalable. Once created, they can evaluate large groups of students consistently while still delivering personalized feedback tailored to each student's unique path through the activity.

How to Design:

Design Realistic Scenarios: Start with authentic situations your students will actually encounter in their field (e.g., workplace challenges, practical problems, technical issues, client interactions, etc.).
Challenge: Think about the challenges, problems, and questions that will test students’ technical understanding.
Decision points: In your script, add decision points (i.e., questions and answer options) where student choices lead to different outcomes. This lets students see how different approaches play out and helps them understand cause-and-effect relationships in situations.
Consequences: Each choice is followed by a consequence. This is where feedback happens, allowing students to check their understanding and progress, and reflect on the outcome of a specific decision. Providing feedback will help them understand why their choices are correct/incorrect.
Map the script: You don't need fancy software to get started! Write out your scenario as a simple text-based script in a Word document, or use free mapping tools to visualize the branches. Popular options include Twine (recommended), Lucidchart, Miro, MindMeister
Build the activity: Use authoring tools like Articulate Storyline, H5P, ThingLink, etc., to build the interactive activity. If you don't have access to these tools, contact the instructional design team! The team can transform your script into a fully interactive activity.

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Observations

What is it? A method of evaluating learners by observing them as they perform tasks in real-time. Students may also engage in activities outside the classroom and report on their experiences and findings.

Why is it Effective? Observational assessment provides a holistic evaluation, capturing practical application and soft skills that traditional tests often miss. It reflects how learners perform in authentic, real-world contexts, providing a more accurate measure of competence.

How to Implement:

Authentic Contexts: Observe students performing practical skills, group projects, or presentations. For example, observing a student teacher's lesson (practical application) versus just testing their knowledge through a written lesson plan.

Use Checklists/Rubrics: Create a focused, detailed rubric or checklist to ensure systematic and objective observation of specific, measurable criteria (e.g., "Demonstrates correct use of equipment," "Effectively manages emotional tension in the simulated scenario").

Technology: Utilize technology like video-based platforms and AI tools to streamline the observation process and provide detailed feedback. This also allows observations to occur across time and space, making learning more accessible!

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