Assessment Matters

21 September 2010

A major new project aiming to improve the student learning experience and assist the University in demonstrating confidence in the standards of its awards has recently been launched.

‘Assessment Matters’ is a University-wide initiative focusing on two critical areas of assessment - improving consistency in assessment processes and practices; and enhancing feedback to students on assessment.

Championed by Professor Jonathan Osmond, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students, Assessment Matters will draw on the expertise of staff across the University to shape the project.  Professor Stephen Denyer of the Welsh School of Pharmacy is taking the lead on feedback. Claire Morgan, Cardiff Business School is heading the area related to consistency, and Andy Lloyd in Registry is managing the project.

Andy Lloyd said: “Assessment Matters is an important project given the emphasis that students place on assessment and the amount of time and effort that academic staff put into this area.  Over the next two years the project will, among other things, make assessment fairer for our students by reducing the number of ways in which degrees are calculated, and work with both staff and students across the University to improve feedback on assessed work.”

Extensive consultation with academic staff will take place during the course of the project to ensure that there is proper academic ownership of its outcomes, both through open forums, and via meetings with relevant staff in individual academic schools.

Further information about the project is available from Andy Lloyd - lloyda@cardiff.ac.uk