Currency Opportunities for breadth Consistent with current and depth of study to help thinking and practice in with differentiated assessment grading judgements. Opportunities for it to a “staged” assignment, tasks released in stages Practical Specific procedure and Validity questions Dependent on lab work Easy to control content Can be unimaginative and In Diplomas where investigation: and associated questions and outcomes uninteresting (place progression is to HE knowledge and skills Questions can be open or being linked to AC and activities into context, link programmes where high applied to a practical closed grading criteria. Extent of challenge can be to other units) levels of is required as a investigation, usually controlled through use of pre-requisite. Reliability and consistency laboratory based, and Immediate response clear instructions Can be too much assessed With a well-planned required in the lab, at one time Where additional skills marking scheme should written up in the followed by time to Fewer problems over are to be developed. be a high level form of a report. produce report meeting deadline for Lab work can be stressful Fitness for purpose completion for students (allow access Where student is required Dependent on diploma Time constrained in the to formulae sheets, if to make decisions on most and progression routes lab. Set date and time for Authenticity assured for possible have a flexible appropriate method and involved and relevance of lab work lab work. However report time limit, pre-practice apply skills. assessment strategy. may require clear with laboratory Inclusivity Independent or group references equipment) Dependent on questions, work completion of lab use of language, a work (depends on many With a marking scheme sufficiency of time, factors) reliability and consistency NB. – all students have to appropriateness to high. be ‘hands-on during lab diploma Regulated/controlled sessions. Authenticity situation and responses Raises awareness of Should be high – however Health & Safety issues Not all students are report may require clear Health & Safety issues comfortable with lab referencing – danger of Hands on, potentially work.(careful selection of plagiarism if any group Can replicate work interesting and students for the diploma) working experience. stimulating.
Opportunities for breadth and depth of study to help with differentiated grading judgements. Opportunities for it to a “staged” assignment, tasks released in stages Currency Consistent with current thinking and practice in assessment Practical investigation: knowledge and skills applied to a practical investigation, usually laboratory based, and written up in the form of a report. Specific procedure and questions Questions can be open or closed Immediate response required in the lab, followed by time to produce report Time constrained in the lab. Set date and time for lab work Independent or group work completion of lab work (depends on many factors) Regulated/controlled situation and responses Health & Safety issues Can replicate work experience. Validity Dependent on lab work and associated questions being linked to AC and grading criteria. Easy to control content and outcomes Extent of challenge can be controlled through use of clear instructions Fewer problems over meeting deadline for completion Authenticity assured for lab work. However report may require clear references With a marking scheme reliability and consistency high. Raises awareness of Health & Safety issues Hands on, potentially interesting and stimulating. Can be unimaginative and uninteresting (place activities into context, link to other units) Can be too much assessed at one time Lab work can be stressful for students (allow access to formulae sheets, if possible have a flexible time limit, pre-practice with laboratory equipment) NB. – all students have to be ‘hands-on during lab sessions. Not all students are comfortable with lab work.(careful selection of students for the diploma) In Diplomas where progression is to HE programmes where high levels of is required as a pre-requisite. Where additional skills are to be developed. Where student is required to make decisions on most appropriate method and apply skills. Reliability and consistency With a well-planned marking scheme should be a high level Fitness for purpose Dependent on diploma and progression routes involved and relevance of assessment strategy. Inclusivity Dependent on questions, use of language, a sufficiency of time, appropriateness to diploma Authenticity Should be high – however report may require clear referencing – danger of plagiarism if any group working
3.%20Sci%20and%20Eng%20assessment%20methods%20-%20completed%20version.docx