Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module EDUC42430: Classroom Assessment

Department: Education

EDUC42430: Classroom Assessment

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Not available in 2021/22
Tied to X9K009
Tied to X2K309
Tied to X2K207

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Develop skills and understanding related to assessment within the classroom context for summative and formative purposes.

Content

  • Purposes of educational assessment.
  • Assessment for learning, including formative and diagnostic assessment.
  • Validity and reliability in assessment.
  • Fairness and bias
  • e-assessment
  • Teachers' use of assessment for summative and formative purposes

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of the module students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the aims and purposes of formative assessment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of fairness and bias in educational assessment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and critical understanding of past, current and potential future uses of e-assessment
  • Explain the concepts of reliability and validity in assessment
  • Explain and critically analyse the role of assessment for learning
Subject-specific Skills:
  • On completion of the module students should be able to:
  • Devise and use classroom-based assessment for formative and summative purposes.
  • Critically analyse the concepts of reliability and validity in assessment
Key Skills:
  • On completion of the module students should be able to:
  • Critically analyse and present arguments, using theoretical sources and empirical evidence.
  • Use computer and information technology (including internet and email use, word processing, spreadsheets and statistical software).
  • Participate in and reflect on collaborative group/team work.
  • Communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • An intensive programme of lectures, seminars (including group work), practical tasks, tutorials, and self-guided learning. Lectures will give up-to-date knowledge of educational assessment and help structure students’ own study and learning towards the learning objectives. Seminars will facilitate a more in-depth student engagement with themes and issues raised in the lectures. They will include practical activities and skills training. The format of lectures and in particular seminar exercises will enable students to critically discuss assessment issues. Assessment will take the form of a theoretical assignment (students present analysis of a given problem by use of literature). This will provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate the extent to which they have understood and are able to engage critically with the themes and issues covered under the learning outcomes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 1 hour 10
Seminars, practical activities 7 2 hours 14
Self-guided learning 276
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 5000 words 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Students will receive feedback to compulsory seminar tasks. Students will produce preliminary summary and outline of the assignment, with additional critical bibliography to indicate reading undertaken, and receive feedback to this.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University