Constructive Alignment Basics
This framework aligns learning outcomes, content, assessments, and activities to maximize student learning.
What is constructive alignment?
These are designed based on learning outcomes and measure if students achieved them.
What are assessments?
This is the first level of the SOLO taxonomy, where students have limited understanding.
What is pre-structural?
Constructive alignment provides a structured pathway for students, sometimes called this.
What is a roadmap?
This part of constructive alignment serves as a ‘compass’ for both instruction and assessment.
What are learning outcomes?
These practical exercises allow students to directly practice the skills they’ll use in assessments.
What are learning activities?
At this SOLO level, students can discuss multiple components but haven’t integrated them fully.
What is multi-structural?
This theory, associated with Carol Dweck, complements constructive alignment by fostering student perseverance.
What is growth mindset?
This individual first introduced the concept of constructive alignment in the 1970s.
Who is John Biggs?
Constructive alignment emphasizes this kind of student engagement with material, where they actively apply knowledge.
What is active learning?
In the SOLO taxonomy, this level describes students who can generalize and apply knowledge to new contexts.
What is extended abstract?
Constructive alignment supports this kind of learning, which emphasizes student accountability and active participation.
What is student-centered learning?