Assessment

Assessment in higher education is more than measuring what students can recall. Using varied approaches and innovative technologies, instructors balance workload, give timely feedback and gain insights to improve learning. Questions such as how students demonstrate outcomes, which assessment methods fit best and what technologies to use help shape effective strategies.

What is Assessment?

Assessment in higher education takes many forms, but at its core, it measures what learners know and can do. Beyond evaluating individual achievement, it also provides insight into the effectiveness of a course, program or curriculum by showing whether students have gained the intended knowledge and skills.

As the field evolves, assessment has shifted toward authentic contexts that prepare students with the abilities they need for future success. Thoughtful assessment and feedback can transform teaching and learning, strengthen engagement for students and instructors, and spark innovative practices.

This collection of CITL resources and services helps explore key questions, such as:

  • Which assessment methods align with my learning outcomes?
  • How can I communicate effectively with students about assessments?
  • When should I use technology tools in course evaluations?
  • What resources can I share to prepare students for success?

To support these questions and more, our Assessment resources are organized according to CITL’s Lines of Innovation—a framework for flexible and modern learning environments, inspiring and empowered instruction, responsive and reputable programming, and engaged and successful learning.

Professional Development in Teaching

Educator learning opportunities that enhance teaching effectiveness, foster the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), grow educational leadership and build community.

Assessment YouTube Playlist

This playlist collects all of CITL's videos related to assessment, including webinars and conference presentations. New videos will be added as they become available. View the playlist on YouTube.

Feedback and Assessment Learning Community

This new active learning community, facilitated by CITL, provides faculty and instructors with an opportunity to discuss and work through their challenges related to feedback and assessment with their colleagues. Visit its webpage for more information and registration.

Instructor Series

CITL's Instructor Series is a semester of webinars hosted by instructors for instructors. Our lineup for Fall 2025 includes topics related to assessment. Visit its webpage for more information and registration, and see our related Fall 2025 sessions below.

Learning Technology Series

CITL's Learning Technology Series is a semester of webinars for instructors, hosted by CITL technical staff and learning technology coaches. Topics cover a variety of supported learning technologies to assist instructors with the effective use of technology in teaching, including those related to assessment. Visit its webpage for more information and registration, and see our related Fall 2025 sessions below.

Curriculum and Course Design

Curriculum and course design processes to support the proactive development of programs and courses that inspire positive learning experiences.

Decision-making Flowchart

A decision-making flow chart designed to help instructors decide how to design an online exam, based on different considerations.

Instructional Resources

These CITL-developed resources for instructors address different assessment-related topics:

One-on-one Consultations

CITL's Educational Developers and Instructional Designers can provide insight on alternate forms of assessment for remote teaching, including review of planned assessments and guidance on achieving assessment goals. Contact CITL's Support Centre to request a consultation on assessment strategies.

Learning Environments and Technologies

Leadership on the thoughtful assessment, design and integration of learning spaces, technologies and instructional strategies that support all modes of delivery.

Instructions for Grade Submissions in Assignments

A guide to using the Assignment tool to receive and grade assignment submissions in Brightspace.

Student Presentations Quick Guide

An overview of how student presentations can be assigned and delivered within Online Rooms in Brightspace.

Quiz Tool Quick Guide

An overview of the Quiz tool in Brightspace, which has several available question formats and features that enable variety and randomization in online assessments.

Using the Groups Tool

An overview of the Groups tool in Brightspace, which allows instructors to create work areas for discussion groups and organize work on projects and assignments. 

Video Assignments Quick Guide

An overview of the Video Assignment tool within Online Rooms in Brightspace, which enables video creation without specialized software. This tool can be used for online courses that require oral exams or demonstrations to assess competency, as an alternative to an exam with open-ended questions.

Student Learning Solutions

Proactive and evidence-based resources and services for students in support of their teaching and learning success.

Academic Success Centre's Learning Supports

This collection, curated by the ASC, helps students connect with academic supports and services on the St. John's campus. Available supports include Accessibility Services, which ensures students are aware of and receive timely and appropriate academic accommodations for assessments. 

Academic Success Centre's Learning Skills Resources

The ASC's collection of learning skills resources can help students achieve success by creating new strategies to target common challenges they face throughout a semester.

Academic Success Centre's Learning Skills Series

The ASC's online sessions on learning-skills topics, offered each semester, help students develop the academic skills they need for success, including preparation for assessments. Visit the site for more information, including registration, on these Fall 2025 sessions:

General Inquiries

Please visit our Service Guide, Resource Collections and Need Help? pages for general information and inquiries about CITL's services, supports and resources, including our work related to assessment.