Assessment Policy and Practices
The purpose of this policy is to provide an integrated approach to student learning for Q College to ensure the assessment practices possess validity, fairness, and accountability.
Assessments are used as a tool to determine the current level of proficiency in the course and provide the student with recognition as to their accomplishments against the specified criteria. A list of criteria for learner objectives and outcomes are given to students at the beginning of each course program and/or module (depending on the length of the course program or module).
A variety of assessment methods used include, but are not limited to, weekly self-assessments, formal assessments, creative works, module review, and project work. Assessments are an important part of the learning process and are imperative in assessing learner outcomes.
The purpose for implementing these student outcomes assessment processes is to provide Q College with:
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Information to improve the quality of the teaching and learning
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Outcome assessments providing valuable feedback to assist in strategic planning and review of course content
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Understanding of how well the students are learning
- Ensuring learner objectives are realistic and obtainable
Purpose and Functions of Assessment
The assessments mentioned above can be used for a variety of different functions.
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For diagnostic purposes, it assists in determining admissions and level of placement regarding skill and knowledge.
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For formative purposes, it gives enrolled students the opportunity to develop and expand their knowledge and skills by enhancing the learning process
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For summative purposes, it aids in the decisions and judgments of students’ advancements or course completion.
- Student Feedback assessments can assist in adjusting the quality of the teaching and learning of the program
It is important that both the Instructor and the students understand the purpose of the assessment used and its impact on the learner and course program and/or module.
Implementing and Monitoring of Assessments
Q College endeavours to maintain a consistent high standard of quality assurance across their Instructors and the teaching of the course programs and/or modules. The Instructors ensure that the students have a clear and concise understanding of the analysis and the nature of the outcomes the assessments produce. The Instructors communicate at the beginning of each course program and/or module the assessment process to be administered and the timeline to when it will take place throughout the learning process. For the final project, a marking rubric is utilized to breakdown the skills and techniques acquired from the course content.
The student is responsible to use the results of the assessments to reflect on the skills and knowledge learned verses the objectives set out for the course program or module and to gain insight from the Instructor feedback. Through the student feedback, the Instructor assesses the knowledge gained and monitors the progress of the individual student.
The ongoing evaluation of assessment practices and strategies ensures consistent quality assurance of the content being taught and valuable skills and techniques the students are learning.
DEFINITIONS:
FAIRNESS - the condition of being just or impartial
ACCOUNTABILITY - capable of being explained
VALIDITY - regards the test as a valid measure of student performance
FORMAL ASSESSMENTS – These assessments are done twice during full time programs; once verbally by Instructor to evaluate students individually at the end of first quarter and outcomes are documented in writing; second assessment is the final project evaluation at end of program based on individual students use of skills and techniques learned
