Assessment of Learning Outcomes in OBE

What is assessment?Why is assessment so important?

Importance of Assessment

Assessment defines for the studentswhat is important, what counts, howthey will spend their time and how

they will see themselves as learners.

OUTCOME-BASED LEARNING

• This differs from the traditionalcontent-or competency-basedlearning in the sense that thosetypes of learning were mainlycontent/skills driven andteacher/trainer centered.• Outcome-based learning is learner drivenand aimed at achievingOutcomes.

Role of the lecturer

• The lecturer becomes more afacilitator learning by stimulatingcreativity, self learning and criticalthinking.

• Outcomes become more important tothe lecturer than the written syllabus.

OBE and the learning process

Outcomes-based education is aflexible, empowerment orientated

approach to learning

It aims at equipping learners withthe knowledge, competence andorientation needed for success in

their future professions.

The benefits for the student of OBE

Students, actively involved with acurriculum that is relevant andlearner-centred will blossom

Students will have greater selfesteembecause they will be allowedto develop at their own pace

Learners will be trained to workeffectively in groups

Assessment of Learning Outcomes in OBE

Assessment in OBE should also be guided by the four principles of OBE which are:1. Clarity of Focus

2. Designing Backwards

3. High Expectations and;

4. Expanded Opportunity

It should contribute to the objective of improving student’s learning.

Since in OBE, there is a need first to establish a clear

vision of what the students are expected to learn (desired learning

outcome) , then assessment become an embedded

part of the system.

To be useful in OBE system, assessment should be guided by the following principles.

1.Assessment procedure should be valied. Procedure and tools actually assess what one intends to test.

2.Assessment procedure should be reliable. The results should be consistent.

3.Assessment procedure should be fair. Cultural background and other factors should not influence assessment procedure.

4.Assessment should reflect and knowledge and skills that are important to the students.

5. Assessment should tell both the teachers and students how the students are progressing.6. Assessment should support every student’s opportunity to learn things that are important.7. Assessment should allow individuality or uniqueness to be demonstrated.8. Assessment should be comprehensive to cover a wide range of learning outcomes.

OBE and the learning process• Outcomes-based education is a flexible, empowerment orientated approach to learning• It aims at equipping learners with the knowledge, competence and orientation needed for success in their future professions.

OBE will need changesAspects such as teaching and

learning models even timetabling willhave to be adapted to optimize

learning and ensure the developmentof effective learning institutions.

Learner’s Responsibility for Learning

In OBE, students are responsible for their own learning and progress.

Nobody can learn for the learn for the learner.It is only the learnher himself/herself who can drive himself

to learn, thus learning is a personal matter.Teachers can only facilitate that learning, define the learning outcomes to be achieved , and assist the students to achieve

those outcomes.Students have the bigger responsibility to achieve those

outcomes .In this way, they will be able to know whether they are

learning or not.

The benefits for the student of OBE

• Students, actively involved with acurriculum that is relevant andlearner-centred will blossom

• Students will have greater selfsteembecause they will be allowedto develop at their own pace

Learners will be trained to workeffectively in groups

• Students will become analytical andcreative thinkers, problem solvers

and effective communicators• They will know how to collect, gather

and organise information andconduct research

• They will be more aware of theirresponsibilities to the environment

and the people around them

Lecturers: Central to theimplementation of the OBE

OBE requires lecturers to focus onthe outcomes of education ratherthan merely teaching information.The lecturer will plan all activities

around these outcomesAssessment will be on-going

OBE encourages lecturers totranslate the curriculum into

something achievable. There must bea shift away from content-based

programmes.In OBE lecturers are encouraged tofind ways of providing conditions ofsuccess in the classroom. A positivelearning environment is essential.

Benefits to the lecturers

Teaching will become a far morecreative and innovative career.

Lecturers will no longer feel thepressure of having to be the “source

of all knowledge”We will ultimately help to transform

our continent in one which we allwant to live, by producing thinking,

caring students.

Affective educational goals

In the process of writing andevaluating outcomes, we would not

only look towards cognitiveeducational goals (knowledge andunderstanding) and psychomotor

educational goals (skills), but also toaffective educational goals

(Attitudes and Values).