This Reference center covers only a smaller part of the problem area of knowledge assessment related to pedagogical and technical side of IT use.

      We mustn't forget why we assess knowledge, skills and attitudes. The reason is, of course, to establish whether we accomplished the previously set goals of the course. Therefore, the first and most important step in course development is comprehensive and formal definition of goals. It is highly recommended to record the goals formally in the knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits catalogue, and afterwards discuss them with the students. Only when the goals are defined (written down or conceived), can the basic components of a course be planned. They include the curriculum, pedagogical methods used to deliver the content and, finally, knowledge assessment methods. When selecting the most appropriate assessment methods, goals are a good starting point (see Knowledge assessment) 

      Goals should be grouped right away into knowledge, skills and attitudes, since that makes the planning of each of the three groups easier. Each of the groups has a difficulty scale which ranges from the simplest to the highest expertise level. Assessment methods should, of course, also follow the selected complexity level. Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives is the most widely accepted methodology. It divides knowledge into six levels, from the simplest fact recognition, through understanding, application, analysis, synthesis, to the most complex level of judgment. Skills vary from the simplest observation to the most complex actions taken in new, unpredictable situations. Attitudes and habits also range from readiness to participate in the learning process to acquiring a desirable permanent inner values system.

     The course is aimed at university (and other) teachers and it does not encompass all the aspects of IT use for assessment of knowledge, skills and attitudes. It is limited to simple knowledge assessment by test. Complex simulations, such as car driving simulator, flying an airplane, driving a tank or conducting some laboratory experiment are beyond the purpose of this Reference center.