Measuring Robust Learning: True mastery lasts over time, transfers to new situations, and accelerates future learning.
A single quiz right after instruction is weak evidence of learning. Robust learning has three markers:
- Retention: It lasts over time.
- Transfer: It works in novel situations.
- Acceleration: It makes learning related things faster.
Since we can't see internal learning, we must use diverse Assessment Events (AE). Varying both the timing (long-term, not just short-term) and the format (fluency, transfer, generation, not just accuracy) in different contexts is the only way to confirm real understanding.