CoWell Brown Bag Research Seminar

CoWell Brown Bag Research Seminar

Betty McDonald
Professional Development Manager at The University of Trinidad and Tobago and Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University, USA

Date:                  Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Time:                 12:30-13:45
Venue:               Research IV Conference Room

Please don't wear any perfume, cologne, aftershave, or hairspray!

Title of the talk: Improving Teaching and Learning Through Assessment

Abstract:

This seminar highlights tried-and-tested ways of improving teaching and learning through assessment. Observing the common saying, ‘What is important gets assessed and what gets assessed is important’, and with a constant call for accountability, educators are obligated to provide transparent assessment procedures. While it is commendable to have a well-designed curriculum; impeccable pedagogy; with learning occurring, it is the assessment that tells us what is happening to the teaching/learning process. Assessment embodies a myriad of procedures, each having its own place in the process of getting to uncover what learners know; what they need to know; what they wish they had known; what they plan to do differently; what they plan to do the same; and how they can bridge that gap between what they need to know, and what they already know. Identifying at least 15 non-mutually exclusive assessment types, the Prof. McDonald answers five important questions: What assessment types should be used for a given activity? What makes an assessment, a good assessment? What do fit-for-purpose assessment instruments look like? How often should assessments be done? And what is the aftermath of an assessment? Implications for educators are discussed.

Prof. McDonald is visiting Jacobs University 20 July-7 August 2015, Room 77, Research IV.

For further information about CoWell and the Brown Bag Research Seminars please contact Prof. Guido Möllering.