This document summarizes an assessment of a Careers Development Learning module at Sheffield Hallam University that emphasized self-directed learning and innovative assessment. Formative assessments included practice interviews, assessment centers with guest speakers, and career workshops. Summative assessments consisted of a research project, self-assessment, personal development plan, job application, and reflection. Some challenges were resources, time, student anxiety, and technology support. Students provided positive feedback on the career talks and guest speakers. The assessment concluded innovative formative assessments and utilizing existing resources can be effective while avoiding "reinventing the wheel."

1. Challenging the Challenges
of Innovative Assessment:
a focus on
Careers Development Learning
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015
Jill Dickinson and Teri-Lisa Griffiths

2. Context
• Careers Development Learning
– Core, level 5, employability-focussed module.
– Emphasis on individual interests and practical
learning.
• Engagement levels with career learning
– staff; and
– students.
• Pedagogical emphasis
– self-directed learning; and
– innovative assessment design.
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015

3. What we did
Formative:
• Practice interview
• Assessment centre
• Guest speakers
• HR recruitment and
selection process
• Dedicated IT workshops
Summative:
• Research project
• Self-assessment
• Personal Development Plan
• Job application
• CV-development
• Reflection
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015

4. Some perceived and actual
challenges
• Resources!
– Time
– Materials
• Anxiety and apathy
– Change
• Supporting students
– Technology
– One-to-one
– Equalising formative
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015

5. But what about the marking?
• Practical activities:
– opportunity for instant feedback/moderation
– avoids assessment-'bunching'
• Bolstering assessment validity:
– developing a varied skill set
– preparing for graduation
• Fostering students' creativity
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015

6. What the students said...
"I believe that the module, especially the
research project was a pivotal point in my
time at university so far."
"I found the careers talks the most interesting
aspect of this module" and "the guest
speakers were enjoyable and useful for both
the assessment and life skills."
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015

7. Some conclusions
• Give it a go!
– Utilise formative assessments as opportunities for
innovation
• Avoiding reinventing the wheel!
– Identify existing resources, e.g.
• online
• Careers Service
• external speakers etc.
• Spreading the word!
– External events
– Informing module design elsewhere
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015

8. Some suggested resources...
• DACRE POOL, Lorraine and SEWELL, Peter
(2007). The key to employability: developing a
practical model of graduate employability,
Education + Training, 49 (4), 277 - 289
• RACE, Phillip (2007). The Lecturer's Toolkit.
[online]. 4th ed. London, Routledge
• Phil Race's website contains information and
resources focussed on encouraging assessment
innovation: http://phil-race.co.uk/assessment/
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015

9. Any questions?
• Jill Dickinson
– jill.dickinson@shu.ac.uk
– @jill_dickinson1
• Teri-Lisa Griffiths
– teri-lisa.griffiths@shu.ac.uk
– @teri-lisacareers
Sheffield Hallam University Assessment
Exchange 2015