Effective instruction requires effective assessment. Three elements combine to make effective assessment possible: course objectives, learning activities, and performance measures. Course objectives that are meaningful, measurable, and achievable provide a foundation for the development of learning activities. Learning activities that are varied, progressive, and skill-building develop competencies assessed by performance measures. Performance measures that assess practical knowledge and skills in the context of a realistic setting provide the student and instructor with the clearest assessment of current abilities and identification of strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. The systematic development of instruction (beginning with the identification of critical job tasks through the design of related course objectives, learning activities, and performance measures) makes the assessment of instruction and learning a natural consequence
