- Re-Engineering Assessment Practices
The Re-Engineering Assessment Practices in Scottish Higher Education project, or REAP, is one of six projects funded under the
Scottish Funding Council 's E-learning Transformation Programme. The project is piloting improved models ofassessment across threeuniversities - theUniversity of Strathclyde ,Glasgow Caledonian University and theUniversity of Glasgow .Project vision
In the REAP project,
assessment is defined broadly to include tutor, peer andself-assessment processes. The goal is to develop new models of assessment geared to fosteringlifelong learning skills. The vision is that, over the course of anundergraduate degree , students should develop their own capacity to self-assess, reflect on, and take an active role in managing their own learning. New technologies can help support the development of learner self-regulation (SeeSelf-regulated learning ).Educational research
Assessment is a key driver of student learning (See
Student-centred learning ); it determines both how and what students study. Yet, research shows that prevailing modes of assessment often promote high teacher workloads rather than enhanced student learning. There is a need to rethink institutional assessment systems - away from a model where teachers transmit marks, to one where students develop, over the course of a degree, their own ability to self-assess and self-correct.The educational basis for the REAP project is recent research on assessment. Black and William (1998) carried out a
meta-analysis of research onformative assessment , over a 10-year period, across the schools and HE sectors. They showed that where assessments focused on generating feedback and encouraging its use the learning gains were 'among the largest ever reported for educational interventions'. Other researchers have shown how formative assessment and feedback might support the development of learner self-regulation (Nicol and Macfarlane-Dick 2006). Still others have shown how assessment might be used to engage students inactive learning over the course of their studies (Gibbs and Simpson, 2004) or might simultaneously enhance both immediate and lifelong learning needs (Boud, 2000). Despite these recent publications, this research has had little impact on HE practices. The current project will address this gap by drawing on current thinking and on the potential available through new technologies (Nicol & Milligan, 2006).Project activities
The REAP project involves the re-engineering of assessment practices in large enrolment first year classes across a range of departments/disciplines. A portfolio of technologies will be piloted to support assessment re-engineering including
virtual learning environment s (VLEs), e-Portfolios (Seeelectronic portfolio ),personal response system s,computer simulation s and new communication tools.Benefits to Higher Education sector
* Case exemplars of innovative assessment practices including evidence of the learning and efficiency benefits across a range of disciplines.
* Records of the change management processes (SeeChange management process ) engaged in by departments and faculties as they re-engineered their own assessment policies and practices.
* Analysis of changes required in organisational, management, human and technological processes within institutions in order to sustain improved assessment practices.Key members of REAP
* Dr David Nicol – Project Director
* Ms Catherine Owen – Project Manager
* Dr Gillian Roberts – Project Co-ordinator at GCU
* Dr Steve Draper - Project Co-ordinator at GUExternal links
* [http://www.reap.ac.uk/ Official website]
References
Black, P. & Wiliam, D. (1998). Assessment and classroom learning. "Assessment in Education." 5(1), 7-74.
Boud, D. (2000). Sustainable assessment: rethinking assessment for the learning society. "Studies inContinuing Education" 22(2), 151-167.
Gibbs, G & Simpson, C. (2004). Conditions under which assessment supports students’ learning."Learning and Teaching in Higher Education" 1, 3-31.
Nicol, D, J. & Macfarlane-Dick (2006). Formative assessment and self-regulated learning: A model andseven principles of good feedback practice. "Studies in Higher Education" 31(2), 199-216.
Nicol, D. J. & Milligan, C. (2006). Rethinking technology-supported assessment in terms of the sevenprinciples of good feedback practice. In C. Bryan and K. Clegg (Eds), "Innovative Assessment inHigher Education." London: Routledge.
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