High-Stakes Assignments

High-stakes assignment are a form of assessment that hold a significant weight on the student’s grade. The assignments include exams, essays, debates, projects, etc. Using these types of assignments should be used in a way to gage the learning progress of the students.

Why Have High-Stakes Assignments?

Like the name suggests, high-stakes assignments should be a way for students to be motivated to apply what they have learned. Motivation to learn is the main point for using these types of assignments.

Implementation

We recommend deciding on high-stakes assignments based on the course learning objectives. The following chart can help you identify an effective high-stakes classroom assessment or appropriate types of questions:

What You Want to Assess What to Assign / Give
Ability to define key course terminology and recall facts
  • Writing assignments that require appropriate use of disciplinary or course terminology
  • Exams with the following question-types:
    • Fill-in-the-blank
    • Matching
    • Multiple choice
    • Short answer
Analysis of key course concepts 
  • Case studies
  • Debates
  • Essay exams
  • Final projects
  • Presentations
  • Portfolios
  • Research projects
  • Simulations
Application of discrete research, technical, performance, or meta-cognitive skills
  • Writing projects
  • Case studies
  • Debates
  • Presentations
  • Simulations
Ability to transfer knowledge or skills and apply them to new situations 
  • Writing projects
  • Case studies
  • Debates
  • Role-Play
  • Group project
Creation of new knowledge 
  • Portfolios
  • Video essays
  • Artwork
  • Websites
  • Presentations
  • Research projects
  • Thesis or dissertation

Reference

High-stakes assignments. High-Stakes Assignments | Feedback & Grading | Teaching Guides | Teaching Commons | DePaul University, Chicago. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/teaching-guides/feedback-grading/Pages/high-stakes-assignments.aspx