Assessment Futures: 21st Century methods for 21st Century needs

Williams, Peter

Abstract

Developments in globalisation and new technologies are making significant impacts in higher education. Universities in a global market are increasingly concerned to reorient their degree programmes to meet the vocational needs of the Knowledge Economy. A growing adoption of technology enhanced learning, through blended and networked learning, has the potential to transform higher education practice – but assessment methods have been slow to change. This paper argues the case for universities to align assessment methods to meet the needs of 21st Century knowledge workers. It identifies skills and dispositions associated with graduate occupations in the Knowledge Economy, informing a new conceptual model for assessment. A radical recommendation is made to university policymakers: instead of centring assessment on the personal, academic achievements of individuals at the end of a degree course, the focus should instead be on the quality of the collective, applied achievements of students operating in project teams.

Citation

Williams, P. (2013, December). Assessment Futures: 21st Century methods for 21st Century needs. Paper presented at London International Conference on Education

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: London International Conference on Education
• Acceptance Date: Nov 4, 2013
• Publication Date: Nov 4, 2013
• Deposit Date: Feb 24, 2018
• Pages: 100 - 104
• ISBN: 978-1-908320-16-2
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/432560