Understanding the Principles and Practice of Assessment
Group C Theory (Mandatory)
Questions 1 to 4
Q1. Understand the principles and requirements of assessment
Recommended word count 300-500 words (guide only) Please insert word count upon completion
HELP! To show your understanding of the principles and requirements of assessment, it is advised to answer the following questions:
1.1 Explain the functions of assessment in learning and development.
1.2 Define the concepts and principles of assessment.
1.3 Explain the responsibilities of the assessor.
1.4 List the regulations and explain the requirements relevant to assessment in own area of practice
Q1 – Answer:
1.1 The function of an assessment in learning and development is to provide a way of measuring how a student is progressing.
The assessment can be carried out in a number of differing ways:
1. Continual assessment (checks throughout the course testing on a regular basis to assess progress)
2. Activities to help the learner see their development whilst allowing the Assessor to give valuable feedback when appropriate.
3. Final assessment either a written or verbal test at the end of course.
The purpose of the assessment is to measure the learners understanding of the subject against the anticipated outcomes set by the criteria. It monitors development by the gathering of evidence throughout the course, this is then used to review performance, set targets and to benchmark throughout the course.
All decisions reached should be consistently reviewed either internally or through external verification so it contributes to the quality assurance of the awarding body and to ensure the development of best practice.
1.2 There are four key concepts and principles of an assessments.
1. Fairness – The assessment must be objective and tied to criteria set by the examining body. Internal and external checks should be made at regular intervals to ensure the validity of the assessment decisions made.
2. Reliability – The assessor making the decisions must be competent in the discipline the work relates to so as to ensure that the judgement is informed by a professional perspective.
3. Validity – All decisions must be justified with clear references to the assessment criteria stated by the examining body.
4. Safety – whatever assessment method is used must be suitable for the candidate’s needs.
Some learners who/can suffer from stress/anxiety attacks should be given alternative options for completing the assessment. This can be achieved through negotiating with the learner to explore which methods will help them feel safer in their assessment, the key being to identify specific assessment requirements and acting accordingly whilst maintaining that the learner’s wellbeing is the most important factor.
1.3 There are three key responsibilities of the assessor:
1. Planning – The assessor is responsible for organising and scheduling plans and for providing regular formative checks on learning.
2. Assessing – The assessor is responsible for managing and delivering assessments, this includes marking the work and providing a grade. This will give the assessor a standard against which they can measure the understanding of the learner who in turn can measure their own progress. The awarding organisations criteria is crucial to the process of assessing as it provides the levels against which all assessment decisions need to abide by.
3. Feeding back – The assessor gives feedback to learners at regular intervals and at the end of the project. Feedback can be provided verbally and in recorded formats to the learner, this will help the learner to develop/improve the quality of their work in the future.
1.4 The main regulations governing First Aid at Work are:
The Health & Safety at work Act 1974
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981
