Task B - Assignment 301 - Understanding the principles and practices of assessment

1. Understanding the Principles and Practices of
Assessment
Presentation - Louise Reed

2. Objectives
• The key concepts and principles of
assessment
• The responsibilities of the assessor
• Key factors in planning holistic assessment
• Validity, authenticity, currency and
sufficiency of evidence

3. Key concepts and principles of
assessment
as·sess·ment
/ sesm nt/əˈ ə
Noun
The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something: "the assessment of educational needs".
Assessment is the tool used to help both the teacher
and learner gauge progress on a course.
Decisions are based on criteria, set by the awarding
body.
Criteria should be clear to all learners and assessors.

4. Assessment should be:
• valid, reliable
and fair; as such
it should involve
a variety of
methods .
groupgroup
workwork
groupgroup
workwork
observationsobservationsobservationsobservations
peerpeerpeerpeer
demonstrationdemonstrationdemonstrationdemonstration
examexamexamexam
portfoliportfoli
oo
portfoliportfoli
oo
rolerole
playplay
rolerole
playplay
presentationpresentationpresentationpresentation
recordingrecordingrecordingrecording
reportreportreportreport

5. It should also be:
• made clear what is
expected in order
to meet criteria
requirements

6. Responsibilities of the
Assessor
• Plan and deliver workshops and activities to the
requirements of the awarding body & meeting the
needs of learners
• Observe and assess candidates in the workplace
• Provide feedback and advice
• Keep accurate records
• Sign off the candidate when criteria has been met

7. Meeting learners needs
• Do not discriminate
• Consider learning disabilities and needs
• Consider any ethnical requirements
• Consider working schedule of learners
• Be consistent and professional
• Maintain standards for the College and
Awarding Body

8. Another thing
Assessors should
maintain credibility
and relevance by
keeping up with
CPD

9. Planning Holistic
Assessment
A holistic approach to
assessment enables the teacher
to see an overall picture of the
progress of the student.
It gives the student a number of
ways in which to demonstrate
their understanding and can suit
all learning types.

10. Points to consider
• Planning to meet learning criteria
• Reliability of assessment methods
• Location and resources
• Good communication for all involved
• Learner’s awareness of criteria being
assessed and giving timely feedback

11. Judging evidence
• Assessments needs to be valid
• They should assess what they are intended
to assess in terms of the Learning
Outcomes or criteria set.
• Criteria should be made clear to all
involved.

12. Authentic
• In a vocational context,
assignments should reflect
practice in the industry.This
is where a good industry
knowledge is essential.
• Authentic also means that all
work submitted by the
student - should be their
own. Initial and formative
assessment helps understand
ability.

13. Current
• For assessment to be current it has to take
place during the course and in a given time
frame.
• It is possible to assess prior knowledge
through witness statements, as long as they
are reliable.

14. Reliable
• Assessors must follow college and
Awarding Body’s regulations to make the
training and qualification reliable.
• Industry knowledge is a huge advantage
and some courses may insist on it.
• There must be suitable resources to
deliver the course
• The qualification must be awarded by a
recognised Body such as City and Guilds.

15. Fairness
• The assessment must be fair and able to be
achieved by all.
• There should be a range of assessment
methods
• Learning support or adapted resources
• No bias towards learners
• Consistent, timely and constructive
feedback should be given

16. Sufficient evidence
• Is there enough evidence to be
sufficient?
• Guidelines on assessment
methods from Awarding Bodies
should be followed
• Tasks should relate to criteria and
be clearly achieved
• Assessment decisions must be
recorded and verified