| Unit name | Assessment in Educational Settings |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EDUCM0100 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Brownhill |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Education |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will explore the relationship between learning, teaching and assessment in educational settings. It will critically examine recent, current and future developments in the assessment of children, young people and adults at a local, national and international level. It will consider the benefits and costs of various methods of assessment used in a range of educational settings, reflecting critically on the role that assessment plays in education.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Contemporary issues will be examined in relation to the use of assessment as a diagnostic, formative and summative tool to support learning and teaching.
An overview of content
The unit will offer students a fascinating exploration of established and contemporary thinking in relation to the who, what, where, how, why, and when learners are assessed, be they children, young people or adults. The unit will critically explore a range of theoretical perspectives, models and frameworks, research findings and educational practices that shape, inform and influence the ways in which assessment is undertaken in educational settings, considering the value of this for various stakeholders. Students will consider assessment in a range of educational settings, e.g. Early Years classrooms and Further Education (FE) learning spaces, and at different levels in local, national and international contexts. The unit will critically consider the implications of assessment for both current and future education policy and practice.
How will students be different as a result of this unit
As a result of engaging with this unit, students will be different in a number of ways:
a) More knowledgeable in the diverse range of methods of assessment that are used in educational settings.
b) Critical in their understanding of the issues that are associated with assessment in educational settings
c) Skilled in their ability to engage systematically with research and other writings connected to assessment in educational settings.
d) Developed a positive attitude towards peer-presentation, critical discussion and academic writing
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to demonstrate that they:
1. Are able to critically and systematically evaluate methods of assessment that are used in educational settings.
2. Are able to explain a range of important issues associated with assessment in educational settings.
3. Are able to critically and systematically review research and other writings in relation to a select aspect of assessment in a chosen educational setting.
4. Are able to reflectively develop ideas through peer-presentation, critical discussion and academic writing.
This unit will be taught using a mixture of activities including seminars, lecture-based input, reading, reflection, presentations and group discussions
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Individual Presentation for Peers (12-15 minutes max.; ILOs 1-4) based on a select aspect of assessment in a chosen educational setting.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Written report (2500 words; ILOs 1-4) informed by critical peer discussion after the Individual Presentation for Peers, and through wider reading and reflection. 100%
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis. Students will resubmit a revised version of the original work.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EDUCM0100).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
