1. Assessment
PTLLS Week 9
Cate Clegg

2. Assessment Aims Introduction to principles of assessment
Examine different types & methods
Requirements for records of assessment

3. Assessment Objectives
Identify different types of assessment and examine how they are used
Evaluate advantages & disadvantages of using different assessment methods
Discuss how to involve learners in the assessment process
Explain the need to keep records

4. Why assess? Diagnosis Feedback Standards
Diagnosis establish entry behaviour
learning needs/difficulties
Feedback to students (on progress of learning)
diagnose strengths/areas for development
reinforce learning
to teachers (on teaching strategies/methods)
motivate students
Standards maintain standards
certificate achievement
facilitate progression
predict future performance/selection
quality “safe to practice” (e.g. driving)
data for QA system

5. When to assess? Initial Formative Summative
Initial prior to start of teaching/learning
Formative - used forfeedback
tell learners how to improve performance
diagnose strengths/weaknesses
predict success in employment/future training
provide feedback to trainers
provide feedback to students
provide profile of what student has learned
Summative - used for external purposes
pass/fail a student
grade/rank a student
select for future employment/training
tell students what they have achieved

6. What are we assessing? Stated aims, objectives & learning outcomes
Learning domains
Levels
appropriate to skills, knowledge and abilities of students’ learning
Constructive alignment (Biggs 1999)
What are ‘desired’ outcomes?
What teaching methods require students to behave in ways that are likely to achieve those outcomes?
What assessment tasks will tell us if the actual outcomes match those that are intended or desired?

7. Who assesses? Teacher/trainer/tutor External agencies Self-assessment
Peer-assessment
External agencies examination bodies
awarding bodies (mix of internal &
external assessment)
- link to NVQ session
Self-assessment student involvement (formative)
helps towards more reflective,
autonomous, effective learners
(link to reflection)
Peer assessment combine with other methods
students assess each other
provide feedback/opportunities
(formative)

8. Assessment considerations
Valid (measuring what was intended)
Authentic (produced by student)
Current (here and now)
Sufficient (meets all requirements)
Reliable (can be replicated)
Safe (meets all the above)
Fair (equal access to assessment)
Valid
Authentic
Current
Sufficient
Reliable - consistency across assessors/occasions
Safe
Fair - all students should have the same opportunity to succeed

9. Assessment
Why do we insist on measuring it with a micrometer when we mark it with chalk and cut it with an axe?
Peter Ewell