The Importance of Inclusive Assessments
What Are Inclusive Assessments?
Inclusive assessment practices are methods of designing and delivering assessments that aim to provide equal opportunities for all students to demonstrate their learning, regardless of their background, abilities, or learning style, by incorporating flexibility, diverse assessment formats, and accessibility features to minimize exclusion and ensure fair evaluation for all students; essentially, it’s about actively considering how to assess students in a way that doesn’t unfairly disadvantage any student.
Why Are Inclusive Assessments Important?
Equity
Ensure all students have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities.
To ensure equity in assessments, an instructor might:
- Ensure students are involved throughout the assessment processes
- Use thoughtful and relevant assessment methods
- Provide clear expectations and multiple opportunities for assessment within and throughout the duration of the course (Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning, 2022)
Reduced Barriers to Learning
By considering potential barriers students may face, such as language differences or disabilities, inclusive assessments can help to remove obstacles to learning.
Student Engagement
When students feel their learning is being assessed fairly, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.
Accurate Evaluation
Inclusive assessments provide a more comprehensive picture of a students’ learning by offering multiple pathways to demonstrate their understanding.
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References
Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). Inclusive assessment & feedback. University of Cambridge. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.cctl.cam.ac.uk/mind-gap-toolkit/what-works/examples/assessment
Centre for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). IncludED: A guide to designing inclusive assessments. University of Oxford. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.ctl.ox.ac.uk/included-designing-inclusive-assessments
Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning. (2022). Assessing equitably with all learners in mind. Columbia University. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://ctl.columbia.edu/resources-and-technology/resources/assessing-equitably/
Division of Digital Strategy and Innovation. Inclusive assessment. University of North Texas. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://digitalstrategy.unt.edu/clear/teaching-resources/theory-practice/inclusive-assessment.html
Hanesworth, P. (2019, January 24). Inclusive assessment: Where next? Advance HE. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/inclusive-assessment-where-next
Katuta Mwila, N., & Baniya, N. (2023, September 22). How can you make your assessments more inclusive? Six Steps to Create Inclusive Assessments in Higher Education. December 18, 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-can-you-make-your-assessments-more-inclusive
UNSW Syndney. (n.d.). Assessing inclusively. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.teaching.unsw.edu.au/assessing-inclusively
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