Innovation in learning and assessment
While the process of designing assessment of learning and performance, and learning curricula and content have always been interdependent, traditional approaches to the development of formally accredited training programmes are generally built up from assessments based on anticipated learning and performance outcomes. Ensuring the strongest relationship between rigorous assessment methods and instruments, and the achievement of learning objectives has been the foundation of best practice in the past - and the basis on which accreditation authorities (eg QCA) grant approval for qualifications. However, the expectations and standards applied in regard to what constitutes best practice in assessment approaches and instruments has grown out of traditional education and training systems. So, for example, monitored on-site tests such as invigilated exams have tended to be the norm in assessment. Quality control is paramount to ensure confidence in the system. Newer approaches to assessment - for example, on-the-job training and continuous assessment - have proven significantly more costly and more difficult to tightly control.
Technology supported learning has for many years included some self-assessment and, for non-accredited programmes, has also included test scoring. However, for formal qualifications (even where technologies have been used for delivery of content and learning activities), most assessment still takes place offline under traditional controlled conditions.
Standards for national systems' approval for assessing technology-enabled learning and assessment have been slow to develop. Inevitably, concern for quality and the challenge of significant change in attitudes as well as approaches has meant that until 2004, there has been little move to establish a set of national standards for managing quality assurance in technology supported learning and assessment. This is now the subject of focus by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)2 and it is hoped new guidelines and QA processes will emerge soon.
...continue to innovation twice over
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