Babson Executive Education
Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Babson Academy
Evidence of Learning: Assessment & Grading
This course explores how instructors gather meaningful evidence of student learning through intentional assessment design. Learners examine the distinction between assessment and grading, the role of formative and summative assessments, and how backward design aligns objectives, evidence, and learning experiences. The course also addresses course‑level and assignment‑level grading systems, rubric design, and strategies for evaluating participation and group work fairly and transparently. Finally, it demonstrates how AI can support rubric creation, feedback drafting, and formative checks while preserving human judgment and student privacy.
- Distinguish assessment from grading and explain how each contributes to student learning.
- Apply backward design by aligning learning objectives, evidence of learning, and instructional activities.
- Differentiate between formative and summative assessments and choose appropriate uses for each.
- Identify evidence of learning that accurately reflects student progress and informs instructional adjustments.
- Evaluate course‑level grading systems (weighted, points‑based, contract) and select systems aligned with course priorities.
- Create effective rubrics that clarify expectations, promote consistency, and support student growth.
- Analyze how assignment‑level grading choices shape student behaviors, effort, and engagement.
This course is designed for new and existing higher education educators who want to teach with greater intention, confidence, and impact, including:
- Industry professionals becoming adjunct instructors who are transitioning from practice to teaching and want to transform expertise into meaningful learning experiences.
- PhD and DBA students or emerging scholars preparing to step into the classroom with confidence and clarity about how students learn today.
- Experienced educators seeking to refresh their teaching practice with modern methods and reflective redesign.
- Recognition and Credentialing: A digital badge that serves as verifiable proof of learning and achievement, which can be displayed on platforms such as LinkedIn and included on your resume and portfolio.
- Course Content and Learning Outcomes: You gain relevant knowledge, practical skills, and frameworks designed for educators.
- Flexibility: Our self-paced certificate offers digital courses that allow flexibility for busy educators.
- Expert Instruction: Experienced faculty, industry leaders, and professionals with real-world expertise teach our courses.
- Networking Opportunities: You gain access to a network of peers, alumni, and industry professionals.
- Assessments and Engagement: To earn your digital certificate you must complete assignments, quizzes, case studies, and/or interactive projects.
Upon completion of this course you will earn a digital badge.
What you need to know
Course Structure
Costs & Program Discounts
Course Leaders
Heidi Neck
Jeffry Timmons Professor of Entrepreneurship and Academic Director of the Babson Academy
Professor Heidi Neck is at the forefront of shaping the future of entrepreneurship education. She leads programs that train faculty worldwide to teach entrepreneurship through practice-based, experiential methods, including Babson’s Symposia for Entrepreneurship Educators and the Babson Collaborative. Neck has authored six books and over 45 academic works, including the widely used textbook Entrepreneurship: The Practice & Mindset. She has received multiple national awards for her contributions to entrepreneurship education.
Beth Wynstra
Associate Professor
Beth Wynstra teaches courses in Dramatic Literature, Theater History, Acting, and Public Speaking. She holds a Ph.D. in Theater Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a certificate in Directing from the Yale School of Drama. Beth is the Faculty Director of the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching at Babson.
Kristi Girdharry
Associate Teaching Professor
Kristi Girdharry is Associate Teaching Professor of English and Director of the Writing Center at Babson College where she co-leads The Generator, Babson's interdisciplinary AI lab. In addition to supporting faculty and students on their generative AI journey, The Generator has been recognized through receiving a 2026 NERCOMP Distinguished Team Award and being featured in the 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report.
Jonathan Sims
Associate Professor
Dr. Jonathan Sims is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management at Babson College, where he has been a faculty member since 2013. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Management from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business, an MBA from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, and a B.A. in Political Science from Emory University.
Jonathan’s research primarily centers on open innovation communities and teaching pedagogy. His work has been featured in journals including Innovation, R&D Management, Academy of Management Learning & Education, MIT Sloan Management Review, Industrial and Corporate Change, and Strategic Organization.
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