The session was led by Sally Hickson. The session focused on the principles of good assessment, the benefits of alternative assessment and the importance of including students in assessment design.

At the beginning of the session, the group were asked ‘Why do we assess students?’, and answered on JamBoard – you can find their answers here: https://jamboard.google.com/d/1ZBTXZ-1DuvK6jWyjvC-2_fBmPHMIsRnmIvz6WYoYxbs/edit?usp=sharing . The group then discussed the 7 Principles of Good Assessment, which are: Validity, Reliability, Constructive Alignment, Authenticity, Formative Opportunities, Feedback, and Inclusivity and Accessibility. The group were then encouraged to discuss how they, as academics, design their own assessments. 

The session then moved on to the benefits of alternative assessment (that is, assessments which fall out of the standardised, exam hall style), citing deeper learning, bridge building and confidence as key benefits. After this, the group were invited to discuss whether they could change their own assessments into alternative formats. 

The concept of including students in assessment planning was then discussed, with formats such as peer and self-assessment, and including students in assessment design coming up. The group then discussed this topic, with some members concerned about whether we should include students in the design of their own assessment – members brought up that giving students some choice in their assessments is commonplace in things like A-Levels and GCSE’s (where students may, for example, have a selection of topics they can choose to write their essays on), and another member bringing up the principles of assessment again, asking what academics want to really be assessing, and what they want their students to know by the end of the course. Getting students involved in the process of planning assessments demystifies the process and makes examinations more transparent and feel more worthwhile to students, as they can directly see ‘the point’ of them.

The session was recorded, and the video will be linked here soon, once editing is finished.

For more information, please look at the PowerPoint presentation below:

Transforming Assessments MC MAY22 SH