The University of Southampton has been awarded funding from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) to lead an exciting new multi-institution project: “Equal Standards: How Should We Quality Assure Innovative Assessment Practice?” as part of the Advancing Assessment Strategic Major Project.
Quality assurance for Programme-level assessment
This project, led by Professor Anna Barney, Associate Vice President Education, one of just 18 projects selected by the QAA from over 100 applications, aims to generate robust quality assurance models to support the adoption of more holistic, programme-level assessment strategies.
Key questions the project will address include:
- What do alternative models for integrative assessment look like?
- How can we define appropriate parameters for student workload, balancing formative and summative assessments?
- Can fewer, more integrated summative assessments still provide valid judgements of overall attainment?
- How do we identify and support students who are not meeting progression standards in a non-modular assessment approach?
Collaborators in innovative assessment
Professor Deborah Gill, Vice President Education & Student Experience, said: “This collaborative project will bring together students and staff from universities with different strategic priorities and missions, but with a common interest in assessment modernisation and co-enhancing the student experience.
It aligns well with the Advancing Assessment Strategic Major Project, and the findings will further our ability to develop inclusive and accessible assessment that supports our students’ learning and prepares them for life after University and to share best practice with the sector”.
The work will be delivered in partnership with the Universities of Leeds, Bolton, Nottingham Trent, Kent, and Hertfordshire, The Open University, and Kings College London.
Professor Anna Barney commented: “This is a valuable opportunity for the University to further its leadership in innovative assessment, championing meaningful assessment practices that maintain academic standards, as well as reducing burdens on students and staff”.
You can stay up to date with the developments of this project by following the Advancing Assessment SharePoint site.