Quick Start Guide: Assessment for Learning

For a number of years, UTS has been moving towards a greater focus on assessment that promotes learning which we call Assessment for Learning. This includes a focus on authentic assessment, using meaningful practice-oriented tasks that enable students to apply what they know rather than just memorise.

Authentic assessment

Authentic assessment is part of learning.futures because it can develop students’ graduate capabilities and prepare them for the future world of work. The UTS assessment policy encourages authentic assessment and the use of open-book exams wherever these are appropriate. In addition, UTS has been committed to making an annual reduction of 25% fewer exam sittings each year since 2020.

Assessment and academic integrity

Whereas we have often considered invigilated exams promote and support greater academic integrity, research (Bretag, et al 2019) indicates that this form of assessment is not necessarily a guarantee that academic integrity is higher in this context.  We need to think more broadly about academic integrity, that it is not just about where assessments are conducted but includes how we talk to students about it, the types of assessment we select, the support we provide for students.

Why a take-home exam

The increased move to take-home exams, supports our move towards more authentic, applied assessment.  Take-home exams can be an opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned to more realistic interpretive and problem-oriented tasks that reflect the practices they might engage with as future professionals.

Why an open-book exam

Open-book exams are opportunities to assess how students can make use of the knowledge they’ve developed. Open-book questions can require students to locate and select relevant material and apply it to new situations.

Events and External Resources