Designing and using nontraditional, authentic, assessments

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Designing and using non-traditional, authentic,
assessments

• Siobhan MacAndrew
• LTSN Specialist, Innovation in Assessment
• Division of Psychology
• University of Abertay, Dundee
• s.macandrew_at_abertay.ac.uk

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Non-traditional, authentic, assessments?

• less emphasis on essays and examinations
• resemble tasks that employers require in the
  workplace
• evaluate a wide range of competencies
• may be ideal for disabled students

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A caution

• Innovation in assessment is not politically
  neutral
• Many perceive a threat to academic standards and
  Life As We Know It
• Be prepared - your methods must be more effective
  and efficient than your detractors

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Overview

• Why bother?
• What are the obstacles?
• What are the options?
• Practicalities
• Your next step . . .

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Why bother?

• Benefit to students
• didactic value
• employability
• ENJOYMENT
• Benefit to staff
• Fulfilling and worthwhile
• Meets current demands from externals/BPS/QAA

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Discussion point Obstacles?

• What are your prejudices about assessment?
• What are your insecurities?
• Managing colleagues opinions
• How do you feel about students?
• Managing burnout

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Discussion point Options

• Alternative written formats
• Alternative spoken formats
• Alternative exam formats
• Professional skills
• Personal development

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Practicalities

• Train the students carefully in new methods
• Take enormous care with assessment criteria
• Collect data - be guided by it
• Read the (small) literature on efficacy
• Win hearts and minds of colleagues
• Believe in your own professional integrity

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Your next step

• Start small
• Contact me for resources to inspire you (student
  workshops, assessment criteria, student opinion
  surveys. . .)
• Keep in contact with others trying this
• Good luck!

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Other LTSN-sponsored activities

• Special issue of PLAT on assessment
• Meeting on assessment London, Friday 21 March
• Survey of lecturers attitudes to assessment -
  please participate!
• Research funding for small projects - please
  apply!