Teaching and Learning Conference 2019: Handing over the reins: Enhancing employability through student-led assessments

It is usual practice in HE for module leaders to dictate course curricula and set the parameters of assessments. But what if students are active participants in choosing not only what is taught but also designing their own assessments? Drawing on journalism modules at the University of Sheffield we’ll showcase how we ‘hand over the reins’ and give our students invaluable real-world practical experience rooted in a constructivist approach and a negotiated curriculum. We throw students out of their comfort zones but allowing them to take control of their own learning journey fosters independent thinking and increases their employability.