H3 - How to create assessment opportunities that meet the needs of learners

Assessment is essential to learning, as it will allow you to see how your learners are progressing, and will highlight any areas in which your learners are struggling. Assessment is also essential when you are teaching an accredited course as there will be certain assessment criteria that learners will have to meet to gain the qualification. By discussing the options with learners you are making sure that the session is inclusive, as some learners may decide to not part take in the course due to the written assessment methods. Also you are creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

There are many different ways in which learners can be assessed, and often there is flexibility when doing an accredited course for learners to submit work or pieces of assessment in different ways. It is important to find out from your learners what and how they would prefer to be assessed, and where possible try to accommodate that. You may find that some learners are better at demonstrating rather than writing about topics. Where this is the case it may be possible for the learner to have an observation or a recorded discussion of a topic rather than to write a written assignment on the topic. Voice recording is another method of assessment that will allow tutors to assess the learning, without the use of written assignments.

Learners who have visual impairments may require additional help or support if the assessment is written, or if there is an exam at the end of the course. By discussing options with the learner you are able to determine what support is required, also the discussion will make the learners feel supported and valued. The support may take the form of a scribe, who will write for the learner, or 1:1 support to help complete a written assignment.

When an exam is used at summative assessment it can often be difficult for learners who have English as a second language, it is important to explain to the learner the support that will be put in place for them, such as an interpreter or a dictionary that will support them in understand the text that they will given.

Without talking to your learners about their   additional support needs, for any assessment methods learners may feel isolated or excluded which may affect their attendance or participation on the course. Therefore when discussing assessment methods it is important to go through the options with learners, to put their minds at rest and also to ensure you are providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment.