Assignment Design
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A good assignment tells students what the purpose of the assignment is, what the student will be know and/or be able to do as a result of the assignment, what quality performance in the assignment looks like, a description of the task and any guidelines for completing the assignment, and what resources are available/allowed.
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Assignment Purpose/Introduction
Let students know why they are conducting the tasks in the assignment. The purpose of the assignment should be closely related to something students would do with the concept/content in their life (now or in the future). Part of the purpose of the assignment should describe the context (professional, personal, civic, etc.) for the activity the student will engage in.
Assignment Outcomes
Good assignments specify what students will get out of the assignment and they are aligned with the outcomes specified for the course/program.
Evaluation/Grading Criteria
An assignment should clearly describe what a quality performance looks like. Not simply "10 points is an A" but what defines quality that consistutes the earning of 10 points. Rubrics are one way to define evaluation criteria.
Task Description
Assignment task sheets should describe the task which the student is to undertake. A common error for writing assignments is "Write a 5 page paper on...." That does not clearly reflect the task of writing (professional, personal, or any other form). A more precise task sheet would describe the process and mark important milestones in the task. "To complete your paper, gather your information-validating sources as you collect/use them, frame the writing task, consider the audience..."
Resources Available/Allowed
Let students know what they are allowed to use as resources. Is it okay to use their roommate or other peer to complete an assignment? Are they allowed to use web resources, peer reviewed articles, magazines, newspapers? Should they turn to professionals in the field as a resource? etc....
Here are some helpful handouts we used at the Assignment Design Teaching Toolkit Workshop.
Tips for constructing research assignments: