Assessment in education

This unit extends your understandings of assessment and its significance for learning. It examines both the theory and practice of assessment in educational contexts and how it is deployed locally and globally to provide strategic direction. The unit details assessment as an ongoing process of evidence collection, interpretation and reflection to make informed and consistent judgements that positively impact learning. Throughout the unit, a spectrum of assessment approaches will be unpacked, from high stakes, big investment assessment through to everyday, in-the-moment strategies. The merits of different approaches will be explored with reference to their potential to impact learning. You will work with evidence-based assessment strategies and learn how to effectively deploy them to capture the diversity of learner starting points, set appropriate goals, provide formative feedback and establish outcomes of teaching on learning episodes. The unit will develop capacity to read, understand and interpret a range of data commonly found within educational settings. You will learn to pragmatically apply concepts of validity and reliability together with processes including moderation when selecting, adapting and or designing assessments that align with curriculum and pedagogy.