Case 3: Misaligned Assessment
Findings:
Curriculum mapping surveys indicate that assessment opportunities exist for all Engineering Graduate Attributes yet the results of student surveys indicate that students are frustrated by their inability to adequately demonstrate attributes 3.1.5 (Use of Engineering Tools, 3.1.7 (Communication Skills) and 3.1.8 (Professionalism)
In revisiting the findings, it was discovered that while attributes 3.1.5, 3.1.7, and 3.1.8 are assessed it is noted that the assessment tools most often used are written tests, exams and group work.
Interpretations:
What interpretations might you make based on the findings?
(Type of assessment may be incongruent with the intended learning. That is, attainment of a graduate attribute might be being inferred rather than directly observed)
Recommendations & Further Action:
What possible actions might be undertaken?
(Invite students’ comments; consider devising opportunities for authentic assessment; consider devising group assessment that includes heightened individual accountability
What criteria might you choose to judge the relative success of the changes made?