Challenging Assessment
Challenging Assessment is a CeLT initiative to encourage ongoing development of progressive innovation in assessment practice.
The initiative will last for four terms, concluding at the end of the Summer Term, 2009.
Challenging Assessment will:
- Provide a platform of visibility for the good work that is already taking place across the institution
- Provide an opportunity for all faculties, departments and programme teams to get involved in a process that will be focussed on achieving lasting change in MMU’s assessment culture
It will take the form of a range of events and activities, for example:
Events
- Keynote speakers to launch and conclude the initiative
- A QE Series whole-institution conference to address assessment issues
- An extensive workshop and event programme linking in to Learning and Teaching events within all faculties
Activities
- Engagement with all Faculties (FADC, SLTFs etc) to deliver local programmes of staff development, workshops and events
- Expansion of CPD provision relating to assessment, taking formally accredited provision to Faculties
- Extra emphasis on online assessment techniques as part of e-learning development activity
- Contributions from Student Services on assessment issues – eg from Student Support Officers
- The offering of curriculum development and assessment design workshops to programme teams, both generally and in support of review processes
- The continuation of the Shock Absorber project, leading to guidance and dissemination of good practice in relation to the first year experience of assessment
- The recruitment of new Fellows in Academic Practice, sponsored by Communities of Practice, to pursue special projects relating to assessment
The CAI Launch
The Challenging Assessment launch event was held on Tuesday 15th April 2008. It involved an introduction to the proposed assessment framework, a presentation on student views of assessment by the Student Union, a keynote from Phil Race (Assessment, Learning and Teaching Visiting Professor at Leeds Metropolitan University ) and an adaptation of the Wizard of Oz presented by the Assessment Community of Practice. In the afternoon Professor Race delivered a workshop on “Assessing Smarter”. Learn more
Background to the Challenging Assessment Initiative
The new draft LTA Strategy commits CeLT to 'develop and disseminate guidance relating to appropriate curriculum design and allied assessment practices'.
CeLT is already committed to the assessment agenda and a list of current activity is on our website. The aim of all CeLT activity in this area, and of the ‘Challenging Assessment’ initiative in particular is to encourage and support rapid, progressive changes in assessment practice that, taken together, will amount to a cultural challenge to learning and teaching behaviours across the institution. Learn more
