Design and validate the assessment regime
The most important element of creating an assessment regime is in the design. It is best done as the first thing you do when you plan to deliver it or create a new unit.
A well-designed assessment regime requires students to make a sustained engagement over time in tasks that are meaningful to learning. This is achieved when the assessment regime aligns with the unit learning outcomes and considers the number, mode, sequencing, weighting and timing of assessment tasks and feedback.
A well-constructed assessment regime also allows students to check their understanding in early assessment tasks and receive feedback to help them reflect on their learning progress, and continue to develop their skills, knowledge and competencies. They should be able to apply this learning in later assessment tasks to demonstrate their learning.
The following guides assist you with designing your assessment regime, and validating it before, and after, it is implemented.
Designing the assessment regime
Before you start designing your assessment regime and its various tasks, pay attention to the following core elements of good assessment regime design:
Alignment with unit and course learning outcomes
Mapping of your assessment regime
Number of assessment tasks
Modes of assessment
Sequencing tasks
Weighting tasks
Timing of assessment tasks
Special requirements in your assessment regime
Validating the assessment regime
Just as important as the design of your assessment regime is the process of validating it before you release it to students and by reviewing it at the end of the teaching period. Validation, or peer review, ensures your assessment regime is clear to both markers and students.
Validation and review of your assessment regime can be done by sharing it for feedback from:
- Academic colleagues with experience in assessment regime design
- Professional staff in teaching support roles
- Faculty education designers
- Past students or others who are not in the unit
The more people you have reviewing your assessment regime, the better.
Reviewers should check the assessment regime for:
- The alignment between the unit learning outcomes and the assessment regime
- Clarity of meaning, language and expression
- Appropriate timings of assessment tasks across the regime
- The weightings of the assessment tasks, and whether they add up to 100%
A review process should be undertaken again once the teaching period is over, together with reflections on what may need improvement and revision.