Task and evidence assessment
There are 2 different types of assessment:
Task assessment
As an assessor, you provide learners with a specific task to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in relation to an assessment standard's outcomes.
Evidence assessment
You provide an evidence guide so candidates can examine work they’ve already done to find something (or a range of things) that matches all the outcomes and criteria specified.
Usually, a task is provided to a 'learner', whereas an evidence guide may be given to a more experienced candidate.
Both types of assessment can be used in provider and workplace settings.
On this page
Assessment methods and approaches
Whether it's by task or evidence, assessment can involve a variety of methods and approaches (that are appropriate to the learner and the context).
These should give the learner the opportunity to show competence and achievement.
Written evidence
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Workplace documentation
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Checklists
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Portfolio
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Worksheets
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Forms
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Booklets
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Reports
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Charts and posters
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Tables
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Assignments
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Fill in gaps*
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Match information*
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Multi-choice*
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Written questions
- User manuals
* Not suitable for use when outcome or achievement criteria call for learners to describe.
Oral evidence
- Presentation
- Oral answers to questions
- Oral feedback
- Speech
- Interview
- Peer instruction sessions
Oral evidence needs to have clear evidence and judgement statements describing acceptable answers, and the oral evidence needs to be documented in some form.
Verification
Feedback (usually documented and signed) from:
- Teachers
- Support staff
- Supervisors or managers
- Peers
Practical evidence
- Observation, one-off occasions or over a period of time
- Simulations
- Real life situations
- Demonstrations
- Video or audio tapes
- Posters
- Graphics
- Projects
- Visual representation
- Models
- Naturally occurring evidence
Other
- Cross-referencing from other assessments
- Recognition of current competence
- Integrated assessment
Verification
Verification, where evidence is documented and signed by the verifier, the assessor or both, is particularly valid where the assessment and gathering of evidence is based on demonstration of practical competence, or is naturally occurring over a period of time.
Verification can be provided by any person who:
- works closely with the candidate
- has sufficient relevant subject expertise
- understands the requirements of the particular assessment.
For example, a verifier could be the workplace supervisor or manager, and the assessor could be a teacher, tutor or workplace assessor.
The assessor, not the verifier, is responsible for the final judgement decision.
Portfolio assessment
A portfolio is particularly appropriate for assessing the more creative areas of learning, especially in visual communication.
It is a collection of evidence to support assessment against standards or learning outcomes.
Portfolios can come in a range of types and sizes. For example, they can be electronic (a CD or a website address), a kete containing evidence gathered throughout a course, or a display file of mounted work.
When assessment occurs in the workplace, or as part of a longer course, the candidate may have many opportunities to demonstrate the skills and understanding required to achieve the assessment standard.
In this case, rather than having the candidate complete a 'redundant' assessment task, a portfolio of evidence can be provided to demonstrate their competence.
The assessor should provide an assessment checklist, listing the evidence requirements for the standard. The evidence should be put together by the candidate in a way that makes it easy for the assessor to match it to the achievement criteria of the assessment standard.
Assessment standards often require evidence of planning and design, documentation and evaluation. It is important that this evidence is included in some way, for example, in a visual diary.
Integrated assessment
Assessment standards lend themselves to integrated assessment. This is where related or complementary outcomes or achievement criteria can be assessed using the same task or evidence.
Integration of assessment has several advantages. It reduces the time spent on assessment, and facilitates a more holistic approach.
Integrated assessment can also pose some challenges, especially in a situation when candidates enter a programme having already achieved standards that are part of an assessment cluster in their chosen course of study.
Decisions about whether to integrate assessment or not will be strongly influenced by the context of assessment and the experience of the assessor.