An exploration of Biggs’ constructive alignment in course design and its impact on students’ learning approaches
Abstract
This paper investigates whether instructors’ adoption of constructive alignment has any impact on university students’ learning approaches, which are highly correlated with students’ achievement of learning outcomes. A multi-method model with a combination of qualitative and quantitative design was adopted, using document analysis, interviews and survey. The analysis of covariance results suggested that regardless of individual differences, students would adjust their learning approaches and study behaviours in response to the classroom teaching and learning environment. Students in more ‘constructively aligned courses’ were more likely to adopt deep learning approaches and less likely to use surface learning approaches in their study of a particular course.
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OSCE-style assessments achieve superior constructive alignment between assessment tasks and learning outcomes compared with traditional written reports by requiring direct demonstration rather than indirect, proxy measures.
“OSCE-style assessments achieve superior constructive alignment between assessment tasks and learning outcomes compared with traditional written reports by requiring direct demonstration rather than indirect, proxy measures [13,14].”
From Clinical assessment meets laboratory science: adapting OSCE methodology for authentic biosciences evaluation in the age of generative AI (2025) · cites this paper as [14]
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“OSCE-style assessments achieve superior constructive alignment between assessment tasks and learning outcomes compared with traditional written reports by requiring direct demonstration rather than indirect, proxy measures [13,14].”
- Authors
- Wang, X., Su, Y., Cheung, S., Wong, E., & Kwong, T.
- Affiliations
- Hong Kong Baptist University (HK)
- Corresponding author
- Wang, Xiaoyan
- Venue
- Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-06
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 477-491
- ISSN
- 0260-2938 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-297X
- OpenAlex
- W2063704520
- Cited by
- 198
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 31.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Evaluation of Teaching Practices
- Social Sciences › Education › Educational Assessment and Pedagogy
- Social Sciences › Education › Student Assessment and Feedback
- Keywords
- constructive alignment, course design, learning methods, deep learning, surface learning, study behavior, learning outcomes, teaching and learning environment, higher education
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