Module Components

• Overview
• Assignments

Topics

• Assessing Learning Outcomes
• Testing
• Competency Assessment
• Learning Contracts
• Portfolios
• Conclusion

Nurs 791 - Instructional Strategies and Assessment

Module 8: Assessing Learning

Learning Contracts

As the paradigm shifts from teacher-centered to learner-centered learning, so also do assessment methods. For example, learning contracts can be viewed as both an instructional strategy AND an assessment strategy. While there is mutuality in the contract negotiated, it is the self-direction of the learner that drives the process with coaching and support from the teacher as appropriate to the situation. What are learning contracts?

Learning contracts are used with learners across developmental levels as appropriate to the age group and content area.The use in health professions education has been limited to date, no doubt due to the crowded curriculum with many required courses and little, if any, accommodation for elective work. As you move forward in developing your teaching role, you will likely find learning contracts to be an increasingly useful way to assess learning that is highly appropriate for those who are self-directed learners, particularly those who wish to pursue highly specialized learning objectives not addressed in required coursework.

At the University of Maryland School of Nursing, learning contracts are negotiated in the form of independent studies that may be taken for variable credit, depending upon the scope of the work. The form is flexible to offer options in how the contract is developed between the learner and faculty. This option is available to you as learners in this course if you wish to take advantage of the opportunity for some of your elective credit!

This section introduces learning contracts, as well as advantages, and issues in their use. How you could use learning contracts with the learners with who you anticipate working in your teaching role.  The learning contract will play a very important role in the Teaching Practicum courses where you will work with your preceptor and course facilitator to create you individual learning practicum, thus tailoring your experience to your individual objectives.