Assessment for a Purpose

Abstract

The assessment function at many institutions is typically more about assessment for its own sake than about closing the loop on continuous improvement in learning and development. In this chapter, the authors will offer a fidelity model through which course designers can leverage assessment findings to identify opportunities for, and implementation of, interventions with an eye toward sparking learner motivation, enhancing student learning, spurring persistence, and to thus “close the loop” on prior deficiencies noted through assessment. The literature on motivation and student learning are melded and then leveraged to inform online course development for measurable outcomes important to academics and administrators. In conclusion, a case is provided to illustrate the efficacy of this approach.