IATL Assessment Methods
IATL Assessment Methods
Our Philosophy
We treat assessment as a space for empowering students.
IATL assessment is a space to experiment, explore, and actively define and shape your learning journey based on your interests, aspirations and talents.
On your IATL module, you will be guided through an Assessment programme that will empower you to critically navigate the landscape of disciplinesLink opens in a new window (and beyond), embrace uncertainty, develop your agency, and create an exciting multi-/inter-/transdisciplinary contribution to knowledge.
Assessment on an IATL module may look different to what you are used to, and we recognise that assessment agency thrives on clear guidance and support. IATL actively supports students with embedded assessment literacy activities throughout the run of the module, tailored supervision, supplementary interdisciplinary skills development sessions and videosLink opens in a new window, integrated pre-assessment opportunities including how to write an inter- and trans- disciplinary abstractLink opens in a new window, and much more.
We believe, passionately, that the value of your IATL assessed work should be celebrated well beyond the module. As an IATL student, you are invited to share your work in our Assessment ExhibitionLink opens in a new window, and we will open the doors to a host of sector-leading research opportunities, including ICURLink opens in a new window, BCURLink opens in a new window, and ReinventionLink opens in a new window.
It is hard to overstate how meaningful IATL is for our students and how an IATL student-led assessment programme – one that is empowering, authentic, and humanised – can produce the most remarkable, thought-provoking projectsLink opens in a new window from students of all disciplinary backgrounds at Warwick.
Painting from 'Holistic Education' by Maddie WhiteLink opens in a new window
Assessment in IATL is geared towards real world impact.
Research is integral to the IATL assessment experience. IATL modules empower students to take charge of their learning through independent, inter- and trans- disciplinary research. By exploring diverse perspectives, you will develop original ideas for your assessments and contribute to a vibrant, student-led research culture. This experience not only enriches your academic journey and broadens your outlook but also equips you to tackle global challenges—while adding valuable skills to your CV.
We actively embed research into our curriculumLink opens in a new window by connecting your assessed work with our prestigious, world-leading research platforms, including: ReinventionLink opens in a new window, the Journal of Undergraduate Research; ICURLink opens in a new window, the International Conference of Undergraduate Research; and BCURLink opens in a new window, the British Conference for Undergraduate Research.
We support you in developing your research interests through flexible assessments like the Student Devised Assessment (SDA) and workshops on academic writing, ethics, and research communication. A key element of this process is learning to craft an accessible inter-/ trans- disciplinary abstract that synthesises your research for a wider audience, opening pathways to academic publishing and presentation.
Our enterprise-infused curriculumLink opens in a new window encourages you to bring your ideas to life in the form of social enterprises, business concepts, new products and more.
We offer multidisciplinary modules that explore entrepreneurship and innovation, providing you with practical experiences and opportunities to work with local and national entrepreneurs, start-ups, and organisations. You will develop transferable enterprise skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, and are encouraged to create your own business ventures and social enterprises.
We embed enterprise pedagogiesLink opens in a new window across our modules and collaborate with Warwick EnterpriseLink opens in a new window to support students in testing their entrepreneurial ideas. We provide funding opportunitiesLink opens in a new window for students to explore and develop projects, and offer unique programs like The IATL’s DenLink opens in a new window, where students pitch ideas for funding and receive expert support. We are continually innovating, and we invite students and staff to get involved in our diverse curricular and extracurricular activities.
Curious to see what assessment on our modules looks like? See our Assessment ExhibitionLink opens in a new window
We are experts in student-led assessment. But don’t take our word for it!
Hear from our students directly:
From IL023/IL123
Genetics: Science & SocietyLink opens in a new window
'This is the first time I’ve been given complete freedom over what topic I wished to pursue but also the format in which I wished this to be assessed on… I became immersed in a topic I found really interesting and I was allowed to present this in a far more creative and interactive way than an essay would allow.'
From IL031/IL131
Serious Tabletop Game Design and DevelopmentLink opens in a new window
'This is genuinely the most fun and innovative module I have ever taken, it makes learning fun and there is always support given when needed. Being able to create a physical end game to your module work feels very satisfying.'
From IL036/IL136 Public EngagementLink opens in a new window
'The openness and interactive nature of the module; the atmosphere was a very safe space, allowing me to feel comfortable to voice opinions, thoughts and personal experiences. The assignment was not a formal academic essay and allowed us to communicate more naturally.'
From IL040/IL140 Your Idea, Your Research
'[I enjoyed] the encouragement from professors to pursue my own project [and] felt like there was space for any and all ideas. [I enjoyed] being required to review abstracts based on given criteria – closest thing I have experienced so far to being put in the shoes of a staff member's potential dilemmas when marking.'
From IL014/IL114 Global ConnectionsLink opens in a new window
'I have felt so supported in the assessments and class work. I love the freedom it brings in options for assessment, and it has been so lovely getting to know other students from different disciplines.'
From other IATL modules
IL032/IL132 ChangeLink opens in a new window: 'I love the flexibility the course gives, a liberating educational experience.'
IL002/IL102 Navigating PsychopathologyLink opens in a new window: '[I enjoyed] formulating own research question and developing the scope of the module essay.'
IL020/IL120 EntrepreneurshipLink opens in a new window: 'The uncharacterised structure for assignments... allowed me to explore my own thoughts on a topic.'
An example of our student-led assessment
The SDA offers students the chance to display their critical engagement with the themes and theories of the module and to take a considered approach as to how they might practically apply what they have learned in a medium of their choosing.
It gives space and the opportunity to test ideas and to be creative!
The SDA’s form is down to the student. They consider what issues and theories they want to address and then pick whatever form they feel best expresses them. The SDA can take any form they wish (a story, workshop, presentation, blog, comic, painting, video, essay, dance, website, poem, song, learning resource, collage, diary...anything!) and it displays their personal experiences of and thoughts about the module’s topics, questions, and stimuli in the best way possible. They have to clearly demonstrate and critically engage with theory and give an explanation of their choice of medium. To help with this, they write an accompanying explanation or give an accompanying presentation to their piece together with a detailed bibliography.
Undergraduate modules that involve an SDA component
Term one (Autumn) modules
- IL005/IL105 Applied Imagination and Creative PracticeLink opens in a new window
- IL032/IL132 Change: Critical Understandings, Practices, and ActionsLink opens in a new window
- IL014/IL114 Global Connections: A Transdisciplinary Approach (EUTOPIA)Link opens in a new window; see also the online versionLink opens in a new window
- IL041/IL141 The AI Revolution: Ethics, Technology, and SocietyLink opens in a new window
- IL028/IL128 Understanding Wellbeing Theory and PracticeLink opens in a new window
- IL040/IL140 Your Idea, Your Research: How to pursue an interdisciplinary projectLink opens in a new window
Term two (Spring) modules
- L023/IL123 Genetics: Science and SocietyLink opens in a new window
- IL001/IL101 Forms of IdentityLink opens in a new window
- IL021/IL121 Local/Global ShakespearesLink opens in a new window
- IL008/IL108 Reinventing EducationLink opens in a new window
- IL039/IL139 Rethinking Health ScienceLink opens in a new window
Postgraduate modules that involve an SDA component
Term two (Spring) modules
- IL905-10/IL905-15/IL905-20 Thinking WaterLink opens in a new window
Additional Resources
If you are interested in learning more about non-standard learning and alternative assessment methods, and specifically how this comes to life on IATL’s UG and PG modules, listen to Dr Heather Meyer’s podcast on the Student Innovation at Warwick podcast series. She speaks about the benefits of non-standard assessment methods, why student research skills acquired through these alternative methods are essential for lifelong learning and employability, and how they promote and foster innovation.
