2. Review of task from Session 1
What you identified as characteristics of a
„conducive‟ assessment environment:
Putting student at ease
Being well prepared
Clarifying the purpose of the meeting
Obtaining student‟s view of their „issues‟
Knowing enough about their chosen course
Capturing information appropriately
Relating any demos to what‟s been discussed
Seeking permission to use information
3. A reminder about why we assess
To establish learning/course objectives
To agree learning (and teaching) goals
To gather evidence of support needs
To understand the impact of these needs
To inform study methods/approaches
To help students develop an awareness
of their strengths and weaknesses and
preferred learning styles
4. Key Principles
The outcome of any needs
assessment should be a clear
and shared understanding -
and reporting - of the learner‟s
need(s), so that appropriate
support can be put in place.
5. Reality check!
Completing a pro-forma or writing a
report, however comprehensive and
exquisite, never makes a jot of a difference to
the student‟s learning experience UNLESS that
information is used effectively to inform a plan
of action:
For the student
For identified staff
Storing data X
„Exploring‟ data √
6. Key Principles
If the student is making
adequate progress in course
work, this can usually be
regarded as evidence of the
appropriateness of the support
being provided.
7. Reality check No 2!
BUT, unless „the system‟ has opportunities
built in for monitoring progress at regular
intervals, one shouldn‟t assume that “all is
well”……. or that “no news is good news!”
It‟s important to know:
what support is being accessed,
from what sources,
with what results!
8. Assessment Strategies
Breakout Activity 1:
In your groups, discuss and note down:
The range of strategies currently in use in
your institution to assess learners‟ support
needs.
The effectiveness (in your opinion) of these
strategies – both for identifying support
needs and monitoring the effectiveness of
what is put in place.
12. A Framework for Needs Assessment
Presentation
Observation
Function
Diagnostics
13. Are all the „bases‟ covered?
Activity 2:
Discuss the inverted triangle framework and
consider whether your processes fit into
this needs-led framework.
Where are your processes strong?
What aspects, if any, are weaker or missing?
Are there any elements you would find
challenging to implement?
14. What next?
Session 3
22 May 2013 at 11.00am
Gathering and interpreting evidence
