TE7077 - The Role of Educational Assessment in Practice and Policy

What will I learn on this module?

The aim of this module is to explore the topic of educational assessment. This module will provide the opportunity for you to learn how to develop and implement educational assessment, both formative and summative. You will be able to critically analyse the reliability and validity of current practices; analyse discourses surrounding assessment and develop a good understanding the technical and conceptual issues which underpin the current assessment practices.

How will I learn on this module?

A ‘research rich’ learning approach will enable you to build on your previous higher education experiences as an active inquirer and participant in your own learning. This will be at the heart of the teaching and learning strategy for this module. In order to maximise the learning in this module sessions will include a mix of formal lectures, seminars and group work. The e-learning portal will provide additional learning support and enable communication between students and staff.

Students will be encouraged to engage with current research in this field through the critical evaluation of research papers that will then be further explored within seminars.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Your main form of academic support for each module is provided by the module leader and other members of the module team. The module leader will ensure that you receive clear guidance about the module learning outcomes and how you will be assessed against these. They will also guide through exercises during the timetabled sessions, and ensure that both individual and group tutorial time is identified during the module. The University’s eLearning Portal will offer remote access to materials and aids for reinforcing your learning.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will have a critical understanding of the aims and purposes of educational assessment

2. You will have a critical understanding of the role of assessment for learning; fairness and bias in assessment and validity and reliability in assessment

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Develop and implement educational assessment both formative and summative

2. Critically analyse ideas of reliability and validity of educational assessment in the public domain

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

1. Enhanced your communication skills through your presentation of an aspect of assessment and through your written work in your summative assessment.

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment
Prepare a poster presentation on an aspect assessment

Feedback
You will be provided with constructive verbal feedback from tutors and your peers.

Summative Assessment
You will critically analyse and evaluate a current issue in assessment in terms of validity and reliability and other current theoretical perspectives

MLOs: (KU1 & 2) (PVA 1) (IPSA 1&2)

Feedback
You will be provided with written feedback using the criteria and the elaborated marking scale.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

Assessment plays an important role in society in terms of exemplifying the values of that society and has an influence on the life chances of individuals. Moreover, it provides information to stakeholders, such as parents, employers and higher education institutions. Discussions of assessment are often found in the public domain, where some of the technical and conceptual issues are poorly presented and understood. This module will provide the opportunity for critical analyses of the use and misuse of assessment within educational contexts.

Course info

Credits 30

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 24 months Part Time
2 other options available

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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