MSc Educational Assessment Online

For enquiries about the programme please contact the Pathway Leader: Dr Per Kind  For enquiries about admission, including entry requirements and how to apply, please contact our Admissions Team

The MSc in Educational Assessment has been developed to meet the need for specialists in educational assessment within schools and more widely within the education system. The course combines the expertise of two leading institutions in assessment, the School of Education and CEM (Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring). Students learn about standardised tests, classroom assessments, interviews, school inspections and more. The programme is 'hands on', providing candidates with skills and knowledge to do assessment, but also focuses on assessment theory and the many challenges and implications of educational assessment. Completion of the programme will enable you to apply for the status of Fellow with the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors (CIEA).

Students considering this programme may also be interested in studying MSc Educational Assessment.

Programme aims:

• To develop knowledge and awareness of the importance and many roles of assessment in education, and to enable students to engage with debate and to reflect on how to meet the challenges of effective educational assessment;
• To equip students with knowledge, understanding and relevant skills that will help them develop, deliver and analyse assessment at all levels of education, and to facilitate further research and scholarship in this important field.

Structure

The course has four taught modules (each of 30 credits): Standardised Tests and Exams, Classroom Assessment, Judgment-based Assessment and Research Method.  In addition there is a supervised dissertation (60 credits).

Pattern of Study

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Taught modules

Standardised Tests and Exams

The module analyses the many challenges and implications of testing in education. Students learn how to construct and analyse test, using both classic and modern test theory. The module gives introduction to statistical software for development and analyses of tests.

Classroom Assessment

The module discusses assessment from a classroom perspective. Attention is given in particular to assessment for learning, with focus on topics such as questioning, feedback, and peer assessment. Other topics involve implementing good assessment practices and analysing implications assessment has on teaching and learning.

Judgment-based Assessment

The module presents assessments which involve judgments made by individuals such as those made at appointment interviews, in responding to questionnaires or assessing others through class room observation. This will be used as a vehicle for building knowledge and understanding in a number of key areas including assessment theory, the development of techniques and ethics.

Research Method

The module gives an introduction to research methodology, including the philosophical underpinning of research and the methods for gathering and analysing data. Students also learn to read research literature critically. Examples in the module are taken from assessment, but also from other areas of educational research.

Teaching and assessment

The teaching is online using a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). In this environment students are offered videos from lectures, reading material, activities and access to the library. On all modules students get personal feedback and support for their learning. They also can meet with other students when doing tasks or for an informal chat on the discussion board.

Each module is organised in 4 to 5 units. The unit lasts two weeks and include compulsory tasks and activities.

Examples from the VLE is presented below.

Assessment is based on 5000 word assignments, which include presenting a report from test development, evaluating assessment practices, analysing assessment data or research papers, and writing a journal article.

Examples of teaching material

 Each unit has a set structure with teaching material, readings and activities/tasks.

Teaching videos from live lessons use PowerPoint's, which have been edited to suit the online teaching. All videos are 'streamed' and can be watched on low-speed broadband.

Each teaching unit has a Blog. In this students present their responses to tasks and get feedback from the teacher. Some tasks are open to all students and they give feedback and discuss each others responses.

Some tasks give immediate feedback to your answers and, if necessary, guidance for further reading. Other tasks are posted on the Blog.