Unit 5: Alignment—The Core Principle: Evaluating & Improving Alignment

5.5 How to Evaluate and Improve Alignment: A Checklist

Step 1: Review Learning Outcomes

• Are outcomes clearly written and measurable?
• Do they specify what students will do (not what instructors will teach)?
• Do they use action verbs that can be observed and measured (e.g., "analyze," "evaluate," "create," "design")?
• Are they at an appropriate cognitive level for the course?
• Is there a manageable number of outcomes (typically 3–5 per module)?

Step 2: Map Instructional Activities to Outcomes

• For each outcome, identify the specific activities students will do to practice this skill
• Do activities directly align with the outcome, or do they address tangential content?
• Is there a progression of difficulty (from guided practice to independent application)?
• Are activities varied (not the same type for every outcome)?
• Are activities engaging and authentic (not busy work)?

Step 3: Check Assessment Alignment

• For each outcome, identify the assessment(s) that measure achievement
• Does the assessment ask students to perform the same skill identified in the outcome?
• Are there multiple types of assessments (not only multiple-choice)?
• Is there a balance of formative (practice) and summative (final) assessments?
• Do assessments provide sufficient challenge and rigor?

Step 4: Review Materials and Resources

• Are all materials relevant to one or more learning outcomes?
• Are materials at the right level of complexity for learners?
• Do materials support learners in engaging in the planned activities?
• Is there redundancy or unnecessary material that distracts from outcomes?

Step 5: Verify Feedback Mechanisms

• Do students receive timely feedback on their progress toward outcomes?
• Is feedback specific and actionable (not just "good job")?
• Do students have opportunities to revise and improve based on feedback?

5.6 Alignment in Self-Paced Courses

Self-paced courses (where students can start and progress at their own schedule, without fixed start/end dates or cohorts) present unique alignment challenges. Here's how to maintain alignment:

Challenges Specific to Self-Paced Courses

• Isolation: Students don't have classmates or instructor interaction; alignment must account for independent learning
• Varied prerequisites: Students may have different background knowledge; materials must address diverse needs
• Motivation: Without cohort accountability, students may lose focus; alignment should support self-direction and intrinsic motivation
• Pacing: Students progress at different rates; assessments must be flexible while maintaining rigor

Alignment Strategies for Self-Paced Courses

• Clear pathways: Explicitly show the sequence of learning activities and how each one connects to outcomes
• Frequent formative assessment: Build in quizzes, self-checks, and practice activities throughout so students can monitor their own progress
• Scaffolding and support: Provide templates, guided examples, and worked-out solutions to help learners succeed independently
• Self-assessment tools: Give students rubrics and checklists so they can evaluate their own work against criteria
• Rich feedback: Provide detailed, automated feedback on quizzes and assignments
• Multiple pathways to success: Offer choice in activities or assessments (while maintaining alignment) to support different learning preferences
• Clear deadlines and milestones: Even in self-paced courses, recommend or require pacing milestones to help students stay on track