Matching Assessment to Learning

In a recent survey the generic Learning and Teaching Support Network for the UK Higher Education community asked all subject centres to articulate the three most important issues on assessment in their subject. The LTSN Maths, Stats & OR Network responded as follows: 1. Issues in computer-aided assessment that include reliability, robustness and ease of use. It should also apply to both formative and summative assessment in the forms of diagnostic, continuous and formal testing. 2. The need to match appropriate assessment methods to learning outcomes for knowledge, basic skills, understanding and problem solving; and 3. Coursework and assignments make heavy demands on staff time with regard to submission, marking, monitoring and feedback. In Statistics and Operational Research, project work is very extensive and has special assessment issues including comparability between different types of project and linking project work to the remainder of the curriculum…