My main subject area is Health and Safety and I specialize in Occupational Health and Safety National Vocational Qualifications. City and Guilds have given specific guidance on the range of assessment methods that I should consider and Itry to follow this when I am carrying out assessments.
I use assessment for a variety of reasons. The prime one is to assess whether any learning has actually taken place, and to what extent they have gained the knowledge and skills to reach competence at a given point in the syllabus. However, I always begin with an initial assessment to establish the "base point" or point at which the Iearner is beginning their course of study. I would also expect that my employer would have carried out a pre-course discussion with the prospective Ieamer to establish prima facia suitability.
The initial assessment discussion which takes place when the Ieamer is recruited to the programme gives me the chance to make sure that they have been recruited to the right programme and that they stand a reasonable chance of actually completing the course and gaining benefit from it. It also enables me to decide whether the Ieamer may have additional learning needs which will need to be fulfilled. At this stage, Iwould also discuss the ways in which Iwill carry out future assessments, at what points and why and whether these will be formal or informal. This enables me to establish a rapport with the Ieamer.
Whilst I am working with the student I am constantly forming an opinion as to their progress and deciding on their knowledge and understanding. This is in itself an assessment. although the student may not be aware that Iam doing this. Part of the essential