HERDSA: Northumbria (UK) Assessment Conference

[Coral Watson]

Liz McDowell of the University of Northumbria posts this message, contact her: 
Liz.McDowell@unn.ac.uk

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The 3rd Northumbria Assessment Conference
2-4 September 1998
Quality and Standards in Assessing Student Learning.

This is the third international conference with a focus on the
assessment of student learning in universities and colleges hosted by
the University of Northumbria, UK.  Previous conferences have attracted
a range of delegates from the UK, Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand
and South-east Asia.  A mixture of keynote presentations, seminars and
workshops will be of interest to academics in a variety of disciplines,
those who manage assessment at departmental or institutional level and
educational researchers.

This is a first announcement of the conference and a formal call for
papers will follow.

We want to make best use of the possibilities for international
comparative discussions about assessment and for exchange of experience
between delegates from different countries and regions.  We will
therefore be offering some reduced price conference places to non-UK
delegates who are willing to offer seminars outlining current issues in
their country or region in relation to the conference themes of quality
and standards in assessment.

The themes are elaborated below:

HOW CAN STANDARDS BE USED IN ASSESSING LEARNING?
Academic and vocational standards; threshold standards; the use of key
transferable skills in defining standards; the calibration of standards
across educational levels; stakeholder perspectives on standards
WHAT CONCEPTS OF QUALITY MAY BE USED IN ASSESSING LEARNING? Quality as
excellence, fitness for purpose, consistency, value for money; validity
and reliability of assessment practices; quality assurance of assessment

systems; quality enhancement as a means of developing good practice in
assessment.
WHAT FORMS OF ASSESSMENT ARE APPROPRIATE TO MAINTAIN STANDARDS AND
QUALITY?
Performance assessment, authentic assessment, assessment of competence
and capability; applications and development of good practice in
assessment in specific disciplines and professions; designing assessment

appropriate to the needs of the Learning Society and those engaged in
lifelong learning.

If you are interested please send a short abstract of your proposed
presentation by 15th December by email or to the address below.  This
will give the opportunity to obtain a reduced price place but there will

be further opportunities to propose papers for the conference.

Please pass this message on to colleagues who may be visiting the UK at
the time of the conference or to other discussion lists.


--
Liz McDowell
Director of Research & Evaluation
Centre for Advances in Higher Education
University of Northumbria
Coach Lane Campus
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7XA
UK

Liz.McDowell@unn.ac.uk
+191-227-4185 (Tel)
+191-227-4127 (Fax)