Contributing author: Jo Perry & Alby Fitisemanu, School of Education.
Constructive alignment is a simple way to make sure your learning outcomes (LOs), assessments, and teaching activities all point in the same direction.
Start with the Learning Outcomes
Begin with the LOs for your first assessment.
These describe the skills and knowledge learners should have by the end of your course – the end point you’re working towards.
Notice Two Things in Each LO
Look closely at:
- What the learner will know or be able to do (the skill or knowledge being taught)
- The verb used (e.g., describe, explain, analyse)
Match the Assessment to the LO
If the LO says the learner can “describe ABC”, then the assessment must also ask them to describe ABC.
You are assessing the exact skill the LO names, nothing more, nothing less.
Align the Rubric with the Same Verb
Your rubric should use the same verb so the expectations stay consistent. For example:
| Grade | Rubric wording |
| A | Competently describes ABC |
| B | Describes ABC |
| C | Describes some aspects of ABC |
| D | Does not describe ABC |
The verb stays aligned all the way through.
Teach Toward the Verb
Once you know the target verb, your teaching becomes clearer.
If the LO and assessment require learners to describe ABC, then class time should include plenty of opportunities to practise describing ABC, so students understand what this looks like in action.
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