BLE contributes to sector-wide conversation on technology in assessment

Educators will now have a valuable insight into the way technology can enhance assessment and feedback thanks to a new e-book from the Bloomsbury Learning Environment (BLE).

Sarah Sherman of the BLE Consortium and Leo Havemann of Birkbeck, University of London, have co-edited the e-book which explores the findings of a wide ranging two-year research and dissemination project. The project focused on the ways in which technology improves the assessment and feedback process, feeding into the education sector’s widening conversation about the use of technology.

The e-book contains three research papers which capture snapshots of current practice and include specific examples of practice at the BLE partner institutions from which broad recommendations have been drawn to help inform wider practice. These papers focus on:

• The use of technology across the assessment lifecycle
• The roles played by administrative staff in assessment processes
• Technology-supported assessment in distance learning

The e-book also contains 21 case studies of digital assessment and feedback practices from across the consortium to give insight into the adoption of particular tools, and the associated benefits and challenges. These are complimented by three further case studies outlining technical development, which have been undertaken locally to support or enhance aspects of practice.

Sarah Sherman, BLE Service Manager, said: “We are delighted to have published the results of this excellent joint research project conducted between the BLE and its partners. We believe this research will provide extensive insight into how new technologies can help to build upon current practices of assessment and feedback.”

The e-book will be formally launched at a special event on Thursday 26^th October, but is now available for download from www.ble.ac.uk/ebook. Further information about the project can be found on www.bloomsbury.ac.uk/assessment.