Workbased appraisals
Cognisco’s work based appraisals are delivered using Cognisco*KNOW and they ensure a balance between the different purposes of Appraisal. Cognisco’s principles of Appraisal cover validity, reliability, effectiveness, consistency, equal opportunity, practicability, transparency and authenticity. Cognisco authors develop appraisal modules that begin with the identification of the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) followed by designing appraisal tasks that enable the individuals to demonstrate that they have achieved the outcomes.
The essential three elements of Appraisal:
Ensuring the ILOs and appraisal tasks for various modules reflect the correct level of consultancy outlined in either the national occupational core competency standards or the organisation’s own competency framework.
Ensuring a suitable mix of appraisal methods across the programme to meet the needs of the subject, different types of learners and different types of learning outcomes and also to reduce the opportunities to cheat.
Clarifying where programme wide outcomes (for example key skills, professional skills, professional values) will be appraised.
Appraisal has a range of purposes (Gibbs 1999). These include:
Encouraging appropriate student learning.
Certification: providing the means to identify and discriminate between different levels of achievement.
Quality Assurance: providing evidence for others outside the programme (employers, external examiners) to enable them to judge the appropriateness of standards on the programme.
Utilising Cognisco*KNOW for Appraisals provides comprehensive guidance at the beginning of a module including:
Details of the appraisal tasks for the module.
The learning outcomes addressed by the different appraisal tasks.
The relative weighting of the appraisal tasks.
The criteria for marking the appraisal.
Details of any arrangements for peer as well as self appraisal.
Deadlines for completion of appraisals.
Details of feedback.
A reminder for individuals with disabilities or special needs about how and when to request alternative appraisal arrangements.
Links to appraisals in other modules if applicable.
Key sources of information.