This is a brief description of an ESCalate development project led by Dr Graham Holden of Sheffield Hallam University looking at student experience of assessment and feedback.
There is a widely held view that assessment is the engine that drives student learning; however more recently 'clear symptoms of engine failure' have been noted not least that the engine is labouring under the pressure of larger undergraduate courses and increasing widening participation while at the same time struggling to maintain the quality of the student and staff experience.
Assessment and expectations of assessment need to provide feedback to support the learning process – it is another learning tool that student's need to learn to use effectively if they are to succeed at university. Recent research at Sheffield Hallam (Smith and Hopkins (2005) Smith (2005)) and across the sector (Stuyven et al (2002); Beaumont et al (2007)) suggests that the experience of assessment and feedback prior to University is very different and that this means a real gap in expectations when transferring into HE resulting in poor attainment.
This development work is pertinent to the work of the Education Subject Centre as it focuses on Y13 students who are just about to make the transition to HE study. The project will focus on year 13 students' experience of assessment and feedback as they work towards their A2 (or equivalent) qualifications in various subjects across the Key Stage 5 curriculum at secondary schools and colleges within the South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire regions. These experiences will then form the basis of more detailed discussions on students’ and teaching staff understandings of study at university.
