Before Covid, the University embarked on the Assessment and Feedback Transformation Project.  A considerable amount of work was undertaken through the early stages of that Project, which then continued in conjunction with the development of the Learning and Teaching Strategy.  Those of you familiar with the L&T Strategy will be aware that it advocates programmatic assessment, alternative forms of assessment, and assessments that support the development and evidencing of students’ disciplinary and employability skills.  All the teaching and assessment advice and guidance provided during the pandemic was aligned to the L&T strategy and the A&F project vision, thereby providing a basis even during the pivot to online, for much of what is envisaged for the future.  I’m very pleased to say that in April 2023, we will be launching a new assessment framework called Learning Through Assessment which is accompanied by guidance and resources to support the changes proposed; changes that so many students and staff have been seeking to develop for years.  Led by Professor Wendy Anderson and Dr Kimberly Davis, in partnership with the SRC and supported by the Transformation Team, the Assessment and Feedback Practice and Policy Workstream has been developing this LTA Framework and I am very grateful to all the workstream members who have contributed over recent years, and to the many members of staff and students who helped shape the Framework. 

Learning Through Assessment

The Framework draws on good practice and evidence of effectiveness in assessment and feedback, and as Wendy and Kim outline in the video, you will see that in almost every case, we are advocating assessment approaches that already exist somewhere in the University and that we would like to see adopted more broadly.   We have some excellent practices, and we aim to build on those and make a significant step-change in our approach to assessment and support for assessment.  There is much more to come from the Transformation Project and the LTA serves as the core academic framework to shape our future policies and practices and to inform choices about new processes and systems to better manage and enhance assessment.

Learning Through Assessment Infographic

Professor Moira Fischbacher-Smith, Vice Principal (Learning and Teaching)

 


First published: 30 March 2023

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