Introduction to Steps in Assessment Design Decisions
Considerations around assessment design are critical to ensure that assessment supports learning.
The steps outlined within this section of the toolkit are intended to promote thinking around the various stages and contexts of assessment, and to support the design and implementation of learning-centred assessment that stimulates learning and provides feedback.
Each recommended step is followed by a brief set of questions that might be useful in guiding the decisions you make relating to assessment at each of the key stages of designing, delivering and reviewing programmes and modules.
Your specific teaching context will determine which questions will be most pertinent and where your assessment priorities lie.
It is important to recognise that assessment design is an iterative process.
The steps will help you to structure your thinking but you may find that the way in which you respond to some of these critical prompts will send you back to an earlier stage in the process.
It is also likely that you will need to work through the cycle more than once in order to refine your assessment tasks and overall strategy.
We recommend that you keep assessment under constant review, and return to these prompts at regular points throughout module delivery, evaluation and development.