Institutional change in assessment practices: How professional do academics need to be? - HEA Annual Conference 2017 - Generation TEF: Teaching in the spotlight

Performance measures (e.g. NSS and TEF) are blunt instruments for creating incentives for academics to move into professional behavioural modes so as to systematically improve teaching and learning particularly assessment. Via reflection on failed assessment change projects at The Open University (UK) the paper considers the obstacles to HEIs becoming ‘learning organisations’ by contrasting academic culture with the professional codes of formally regulated professions. Agreement on new frameworks principles and discourses to propel change has limited success; what is required are organisational changes creating what we term ‘near-professional’ behaviours that promote visibility of teaching practices and accountability for consequences.