Target Group: Educators, curriculum designers, and administrators involved in designing assessments and certification systems for hybrid learning environments

Duration: 90 min

Number of participants: 10 to 30

Resources and materials:

Access to digital collaboration tools like Jamboard, Miro, or Padlet for remote participants.

Printed templates or worksheets for designing certification systems for in-person participants.

Projector for presenting group work.

Internet-connected devices (laptops or tablets) for remote and in-person groups.

Examples of certification system models from different institutions.

Objectives and learning goals:

Expected results:

To explore and develop a fair and inclusive certification system tailored for hybrid learning environments.

To engage participants in collaborative planning, ensuring both in-person and remote students are accommodated equitably.

By the end of the activity, participants will be able to identify key principles of fair certification and apply these to create a balanced and inclusive certification system.

Participants will gain experience in developing exams and assessments that align with learning objectives while ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.

• Participants will develop a draft of a certification system that balances flexibility, fairness, and inclusivity in a hybrid learning context.
• They will collaboratively evaluate and refine assessment strategies that align with learning objectives and provide equitable opportunities for all learners.
• Participants will identify potential challenges in the certification process and propose strategies for addressing them.

Step to step – HOW TO DO

1.        Introduction (15 minutes):

Begin with a short presentation that outlines the key components of a fair certification system, including alignment with learning objectives, technology integration, and equitable access.

Highlight the importance of inclusivity and continuous feedback to ensure the system is adaptable to diverse student needs.

2.        Group Division and Assignment (10 minutes):

In-Person Groups: Divide participants into small groups and provide each group with a printed template outlining steps for designing a certification system.

Remote Groups: Divide participants into breakout rooms and assign them a shared online collaboration board to work on the template.

3.        Design and Discussion (30 minutes):

Each group discusses and develops a certification system focusing on:

Alignment with Learning Objectives: How to create exams and assessments that align with both in-person and online learning goals.

Inclusivity: Strategies for ensuring equitable access and accommodations for all students, including those with disabilities or limited resources.

Assessment Variety: Incorporating a mix of assessments (e.g., multiple-choice questions, projects, portfolios) to evaluate different competencies.

Technology and Integrity: Selecting secure and accessible technology tools that maintain academic integrity and consistency in assessment standards.

4.        Group Presentations (20 minutes):

Each group presents their draft certification system, including key features and strategies for inclusivity and fairness.

Encourage groups to share their digital or physical boards while explaining their ideas, allowing for cross-group feedback and discussion.

5.        Debrief and Reflection (10 minutes):

Facilitate a group discussion on what participants found challenging and what they learned.

Ask participants how they plan to implement these strategies in their own classrooms or institutions and what additional resources they might need.