Lifelong Education Evaluation Practice

This report develops a comprehensive conceptual analysis of educational evaluation and then applies the analysis to identify particular kinds of evaluation that would be especially important under lifelong education. The treatment of evaluation is general enough to incorporate evaluation practice operating under virtually any educational philosophy. While the study does focus primarily on the learner and the school, the conceptual distinctions and practical conclusions are applicable to nonformal and informal educational settings

The idea that formative assessment or 'assessment for learning' can transform teaching and learning has become a mantra, and optimism in the 1980s and 1990s that outcome-based and competence-based assessment would widen methods and 'evidence' for showing achievement and motivate learners alienated from traditional approaches are now embedded in assessment systems, the inspection and professional development that supports them, and in teachers' own espoused theories of learning, teaching and assessment.

Despite good intentions for formative assessment to enhance the quality of students' learning and motivation, it is widely misunderstood. Throughout the education system, it has become little more than a way of coaching students to meet the demands of summative assessment. This unique book combines theory, research and practical insights to demonstrate how teachers might enhance their understanding of formative assessment, particularly in vocational and adult education settings that are under pressure to meet targets for inclusion, retention and achievement. Drawing on recent research, the book includes six case studies that draw out the implications of the research findings to suggest ways in which teachers might change their assessment practice, despite the pressures in their own contexts. It considers: What is formative assessment, and what is it not? What impact do political and social factors have on assessment practices? Why do similar assessment practices have different effects in different 'learning cultures'? What role does subject knowledge play in educationally-worthwhile formative assessment? How can teachers, lecturers and other education professionals improve formative assessment? This book is essential reading for teachers, trainee teachers, staff development officers, researchers and those running training courses throughout the lifelong learning sector. It is ideal for those studying for PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS qualifications and for Cert Ed and PGCE awards related to the Lifelong Learning Sector. It is also relevant to various stakeholders involved in the design of qualifications, including awarding bodies, and to researchers interested in assessment and the impact of education policy on practice in all sectors of the education system, and particularly in lifelong learning. The book is authored with Jennie Davies, Visiting Research Fellow, University of Exeter, UK; Jay Derrick, Adult Education Consultant/Visiting Lecturer, Institute of Education, London, UK; and Judith Gawn, Regional Programme Director (LLN), NIACE London, UK.

This is a core text aimed at the mandatory CTLLS unit for Levels Three and Four which all trainees working towards ATLS need to successfully complete. Structured around the content of the unit, all chapters are linked to the QTLS professional standards. This Second Edition has been fully revised and updated in line with changes to the TAQA Assessor Awards and includes a new 'extension activity' for those taking the unit at Level Four. With helpful activities and case studies throughout, this is an accessible guide enabling trainees to understand how to use assessment effectively in their learning and teaching.

This book critically examines assessment, what it achieves and argues that assessment should be seen as an act of informing judgement and proposes a way of integrating teaching, learning and assessment to prepare students for a lifetime of learning.

This book is intended to help practitioners in adult education become better informed about assessment, evaluation, and accountability as these are critical functions of administering and running adult education programs. The book is for adult educators who have been asked to serve on assessment committees, produce detailed reports for funders and accreditors, create a culture of assessment within their program and organization, and/or develop reports for accountability purposes. Section one presents an introductory overview of assessment and evaluation in adult education. Section two gives guidance on practices for specific areas of adult education practice, such as military education, human resource development, and continuing professional education. Section three provides assessment practices for adults in higher education, with chapters dedicated to distance learning, health professions education, and graduate education.