Course Mapping Tip: Activities vs. Assessments by Cheryl Colan Image: People illustrations by Storyset When we work with faculty on course mapping, discussions often arise about whether an assignment is an activity or an a…

 by Cheryl Colan

Image: People illustrations by Storyset

When we work with faculty on course mapping, discussions often arise about whether an assignment is an activity or an assessment. It comes up often enough that we're developing a mini-glossary of terms related to course mapping. Here is our current take on these terms:

Assessments — Tools used to evaluate student learning; typically, high stakes (e.g., quizzes, exams, projects, and sometimes discussions). 

Learning Activities —Interactive exercises that help students engage with course content; typically, low-stakes (e.g., read text, interact with video lecture, discussions, simulations, case studies, quizzes). 

The key distinction is your goal for the assignment. Activities should be low-stakes, give students opportunities to practice using new knowledge and skills and provide them with feedback. Think formative. Assessments should focus on measuring the learning students have achieved. Think summative.

While you map or remap courses, make sure to offer plenty of activities for students to practice, receive feedback, and revise. This will help them perform better and with more confidence on high-stakes assessments such as projects, performances, and exams.

Feeling ready to create an 8-week course map?