The document discusses assessing student learning through various methods. It addresses the purpose of assessment, which can be to transform knowledge or reproduce knowledge. Students and instructors sometimes have differing perceptions of assessment, with students seeing it more as grading and less about learning. The document outlines principles of assessment design like assessment for learning and embedding assessment in the curriculum. It also discusses approaches like deep learning versus surface learning and conceptual change versus information transmission. The goal of assessment and feedback is to support student learning by facilitating self-assessment, peer assessment, and defining good performance standards.