Critically Discuss The Use Of Reports In University Assessment Essay - 2

Essays on Assessing University Students Essay The paper "Assessing University Students" is an outstanding example of an essay on social science. There are many methods of assessing university students. University students usually form large classes and this presents challenges when it comes to evaluating the performance of each student. One of the most troubling issues with respect to such classes is that the large capacities limit the level of feedback that can be provided to students. Nevertheless, there is a need to have a method that can be used to ensure that all students are equitably evaluated. Greater attention has to be paid to communication in order to ensure that students are comfortable and that the criterion used for assessment is justifiable for all students.Current trends in assessment also focus on the appropriate use of marking guide that can be used to assess teams. There is also a need for an increase in the use of exemplars that can be applied in guiding efforts as well as serving as guides to grading and mar king. The methods of assessment chosen must also be able to provide continuous refinement as well as dissemination of practice and policy with regard to dealing with large groups of students (Centre for the Study of Higher Education 2002; McMillan Weyers 2006).Assessment reports are one of the most commonly used tools for assessing the performance of students at university. This paper will critically evaluate how these reports are used, suggesting both the positive and negative attributes of using them.Concepts on university student assessment reportsEffective use of assessment reports must involve a multiplicity of players. Universities have to set specific recommendations for communicating about student assessment especially when the reports are initially used. According to Smart and Tierney (2000), in the initial stages of planning and assessment, there has to be a wide variety of campus members involved in planning the discussions. In addition, the practices used are expected t o enhance the appropriateness of assessment-related decisions while also reducing possible internal opposition to the assessment efforts. Once the required data has been collected, scholars recommend that the relevant institutions provide frequent and extensive dissemination of the student assessment information (Smart Tierney 2000, p.244). In many instances, universities are encouraged to communicate any information that regards student assessment plans, results, activities, utilization, and impacts of issues relating to the use of reports (Smart Tierney 2000, p. 244).According to Race, Brown, and Smith (2005), â€Å"assessed reports make up at least part of the coursework component of many courses.† Yet report writing is still one of the most problematic areas of study skills in which students have to be keenly advised to develop their own approaches towards dealing with particular events (Race, Brown Smith 2005, p. 64).