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Aligning assessment with the needs of work-integrated learning: the challenges of authentic assessment in a complex context

journal contribution
posted on 2020-02-17, 00:00 authored by Rola AjjawiRola Ajjawi, Joanna TaiJoanna Tai, T L Huu Nghia, David BoudDavid Boud, Liz JohnsonLiz Johnson, C J Patrick
Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a feature of university courses, both in professional areas, where it is commonplace, but also across many different disciplines. Assessment of WIL can be complex as it involves parties and settings external to the university, and it can be problematic because of difficulties in aligning learning activities during placements with what is or can be assessed by the university. This paper explores the relationship between students’ placement experiences and accompanying assessments in contexts where activities are tightly coupled with the curriculum, and in those where it is not. It draws on a qualitative analysis of student interviews and drawings by the interviewees of their WIL experiences, supplemented with analysis of unit guides. Our findings highlight that students’ perceptions of authenticity of assessment were undermined by misalignments between the student, university and industry. Assessment authenticity was perceived by students as based on alignment between their current and future selves in the assessment process, involvement of industry supervisors and relevance of placement activities to assessment activities. The paper discusses the complexity of coordination of educational activities with external partners, especially when one party drives assessment. It then suggests a reframing of WIL assessment to promote alignment and authenticity.

History

Journal

Assessment and evaluation in higher education

Volume

45

Issue

2

Pagination

304 - 316

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Location

Abingdon, Eng.

ISSN

0260-2938

eISSN

1469-297X

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal