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  2. Contemporary Issues in Assessment [EDU6210]

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Contemporary Issues in Assessment

  • Unit Code

    EDU6210

  • Unit Type

    Learning Unit

  • Year

    2026

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Tracy TAYLOR

Description

This unit explores contemporary issues associated with assessment relevant to all phases of education and learning areas. Concurrently, students will develop advanced academic literacy skills which are critical for success in postgraduate study. Assessment policies and frameworks are critically explored to reflect on both established and emerging practices from global, national, state and local perspectives. Theoretical perspectives and research will provide a basis for challenging thinking about issues of learning and assessment. Through active learning, students will demonstrate evidence of both understanding of current assessment issues and development of proficient skills in academic literacy.

Equivalent Rule

EPA6172 Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education

Capabilities

In this unit, students will be developing the following capabilities:

  1. Collaboration
  2. Communication
  3. Critical Thinking
  4. Cultural Respect
  5. Digital Literacy
  6. Learning Autonomy

Unit Content

  1. Nexus of Assessment and Learning - Assessment driven learning (alignment, interpreting data, feedback, transparency, surface vs deeper learning) - Programmatic assessment for learning (PAL) - Assessment reform
  2. Assessment Perspectives - High stakes assessment (standardised testing, NAP, international assessments) - Authentic assessment - Assessing complex learning (thinking skills, creativity, problem solving, collaboration - link to AC global skills)
  3. Assessment Equity - Diversity (inclusion, social justice, contexts, forms, personalisation, UDL) - Ethical concerns (reliability, validity, bias, fairness)
  4. The AI Challenge - Students’ use of AI (digital assessment, academic integrity) - Teachers’ use of AI (personalisation, feedback, complex learning)

Learning Experience

ONLINE

All learning experiences are delivered online and attendance at scheduled virtual classes is expected.

ON-CAMPUS

On-campus attendance at scheduled classes is expected.

This is a Learning Unit. Learning Units engage students in regular learning activities to develop their knowledge, skills, and capabilities. The learning activities provide each student with feedback to support their development, and create evidence for each student’s progress towards achieving the learning outcomes of the course.

Unit Completion Requirements

To meet the minimum requirements for this Learning Unit, you will actively engage in specified learning activities and produce a curated portfolio of work that demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and developmental progress toward the course learning outcomes. Further details are available in the unit Canvas site.

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Integrity in Learning Units

The University is committed to creating an academic environment in which learning with integrity means engaging honestly, responsibly and ethically with the curriculum. Engaging in academic misconduct undermines this commitment, impedes the development of authentic knowledge and skills, and prevents meaningful learning. Academic integrity is therefore essential to the learning process and to the value of the qualifications awarded by the University.

Academic Integrity in a Learning Unit includes:

  • Following the guidance for Artificial Intelligence in your unit, taking responsibility for the validity of any information you get from AI tools, and always acknowledging your use fully and accurately;
  • Completing your own work, without copying from others or asking other people to do your work for you;
  • Referencing your sources of information accurately;
  • Attending classes and engaging with the learning materials and feedback.

Your teaching staff will provide feedback if they have concerns that you are not acting with integrity in your learning. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are completing your work ethically.

Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply for an extension in accordance with ECU policy and procedure - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in ECU policy and procedure - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

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