The Bologna process could be considered as a good opportunity to improve the teaching process in university systems. One of the requirements of the European Higher Education Area is the usage of tools that provide a continuous evaluation of the students. In technical disciplines like Physics, if we consider a classical subject with no labs associated within its ECTS credits, the use of tests, exams, exercises and questions would be the most common way for continuous evaluation.

In the present work we propose to employ low-cost experiments, with easy-to-get materials, as a complementary system available for the assessment of student learning, as well as a grading method: It should be noted that, usually, in the classroom there is no enough time, space or equipment available to carry out a typical laboratory experiment, specially if we consider individualized or small-group experiments. However, the requirements can be reduced considerably if we handle simple low-cost experiments and demonstrations. Moreover, this kind of material offers an alternative didactic resource, showing that Physics can be taught in an attractive and amusing way. Accordingly, the experiments should try to stimulate scientific curiosity, and generate interest in the observation of our physical world. In addition, since no especial equipment is needed, the low-cost experiments can also be used as homework.

In the present contribution, the methodology of our proposal will be discussed, and several examples within a field of expertise (Optics) will be presented.