Stylianos Hatzipanagos (University of London)

COVID-19 Silver linings: transition to digital assessment practice to enhance the student experience

Abstract:  In 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Higher Education sector, in the UK and internationally, had to move to online assessment, at a speed and scale which might have been unimaginable under normal circumstances. As these changes appear to be far from temporary, they have accelerated the transition to a ‘new normal’ regime of assessing students online for the foreseeable future. The priority in the sector was (1) to rethink assessment processes (2) to make sure they were an integral part of the authentic digital life experience for students and staff and (3) to ensure that fundamental principles of assessment, including integrity and authenticity, are supported in the design and implementation of assessments. In addition, it is fundamental that no student is disadvantaged in accessing digital learning opportunities, when they are assessed.

My presentation explores this transition to online assessment,  primarily from the perspective of the experience of the students who have been affected. I will be using the example of a  project that focused on evaluating this transition and provided the opportunity to understand student approaches to assessment. Finally, I will explore the implications for practice in distance learning and campus based environments and for the sector.