Assessment in the Work Place for Work-based Supervisors - Allin L & Turnock C (2007)

Table of Contents

1. ASSESSING STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN WORK-BASED LEARNING - Allin L & Turnock C (2007)
2. The Need for Assessment
3. Types of Assessment
   1. Formative Assessment
   2. Summative Assessment
   3. Criterion Assessment
   4. Performance Assessment
   5. The use of reviews and portfolios
   6. Learning contracts
4. When to use a Particular Assessment?
5. Giving Feedback
   1. Useful Tips
   2. Features of Positive Feedback
   3. Negative Feedback
   4. Written Feedback
6. Skills for Effective Assessment
7. Helping a Failing Student
   1. Failure in the submitted work
   2. Avoiding Intimidating Students
   3. Dealing with Non-improving Students
8. Conclusion
9. References

Written Feedback

The majority of feedback that is given is verbal. However, there will be times when you are required to give written feedback. This may be when you are giving a student feedback on their performance as part of a formal or final (formative) assessment of the student's performance or as evidence in their assessment documentation. The previous guidance still applies. It is helpful if written feedback is specific, constructive and owned. It is also most helpful if it is given regularly rather than only at the end of a placement when the student has little opportunity to respond to it.

Feedback may need to be about specific achievements or generally regarding the student's qualities. Try and write your feedback to the student rather then about them and ensure you use 'judgement' and evaluative words rather than just stating what the student has done or what they have achieved. It is important to get across 'how well' they performed.

Examples of good feedback from Sharp et al. (2005) are:

"Jose, as we have discussed you show clear initiative in setting your goals. You have in the main approached the (specifics) activities with a professional and considered approach.

The feedback from the clients demonstrated that you had excellent communication skills and were able to pick up on non-verbal as well as verbal cues in a supportive and helpful manner. We discussed the need for your documentation of client issues to be more specific and although you have responded to feedback there is still scope for it to be more detailed.

My observations of you in practice showed that you have a meticulous approach to detail and that you are able to prioritise well".

Giving effective feedback is a key part of the assessment process, but it is important to recognise that this not the only skill a work-based supervisor needs to ensure good quality assessment. The next section will examine some of the other skills that are fundamental to assessment.

ACTIVITY

Plan a tutorial session for your placement students. It would be useful to note points that you would highlight and provide feedback on.