Assessment Skills Focus

Overview

Duration: 120 minutes
Learner: 1 adult learner
Delivery Mode: Zoom (online)
Level: Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA)
Learning Outcome: LO1 – Understand the principles and requirements of assessment

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will be able to:

Explain the purpose and importance of assessment in vocational education
Describe the roles and responsibilities of an assessor within the education and training framework
Identify different methods of assessment and their appropriate use
Understand key principles of assessment: validity, reliability, fairness, and flexibility
Apply these assessment principles when planning assessments

Linked to the National Curriculum (England) aims in Adult Education and Professional Qualifications for vocational education, ensuring assessment activities promote equality and fairness, aligned with qualifications and credit frameworks.

Resources Needed

Zoom with screen-sharing enabled
Digital whiteboard (Zoom whiteboard or Jamboard)
PDF of Assessment Principles handout (sent before session)
Digital quiz tool integrated in Zoom chat (simple Q&A)
Case scenario examples (sent via Zoom chat)
Learner’s own notes and questions

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Session Goals (10 minutes)

Welcome and check learner’s understanding of CAVA course overall objective
Outline today’s focus: Learning Outcome 1 - assessment principles
Quick icebreaker: Learner shares prior experience with assessment (vocational or otherwise)

2. Overview of Assessment Purpose (15 minutes)

Discuss why assessment is crucial in vocational qualifications
Use digital whiteboard to list learner’s ideas
Teacher explains: purpose (confirmation of achievement, feedback, progression) referencing NC standards on learner-centred assessment

3. Roles and Responsibilities of an Assessor (15 minutes)

Mini presentation on assessor’s professional role: fairness, professionalism, confidentiality
Learner reviews provided role description document aloud to reinforce understanding
Discussion on how these align with safeguarding and equality standards in the National Curriculum

4. Assessment Methods Exploration (20 minutes)

Introduce main assessment methods (observation, questioning, witness testimony, portfolio)
Use prepared case scenarios in chat; learner decides which method applies best and rationale
Teacher provides feedback referencing NC requirement for appropriate method selection

5. Key Principles of Assessment (25 minutes)

Explain validity, reliability, fairness, and flexibility using real-life examples relevant to vocational assessments
Learner completes a short interactive quiz in Zoom chat to reinforce
Discuss answers and practical applications

6. Applying Principles – Planning an Assessment Activity (25 minutes)

Using a vocational qualification example, learner drafts a basic assessment plan applying principles learned
Teacher guides through constructive questioning, scaffolding learner’s approach
Discuss how plan meets NC expectations on assessment validity and fairness

7. Summary and Q&A (10 minutes)

Recap key learning points using digital whiteboard summary
Learner reflects on what they found most useful or challenging
Address any questions or clarifications

Assessment & Feedback

Ongoing formative assessment through verbal questioning and digital quiz responses
Review of learner’s draft assessment plan for alignment with assessment principles
Immediate constructive feedback given in session
Follow-up written feedback via email with suggestions for refinement

Additional Notes

Ensure all vocabulary and examples used are adult-appropriate and directly relevant to learner’s vocational assessor pathway
Maintain an interactive, learner-centred approach despite online delivery to promote engagement
Use real-world vocational contexts where possible to contextualise theory practically
Encourage reflective practice to develop learner’s self-awareness as future assessor

Alignment with National Curriculum

Promotes inclusion, equality, and learner-centred approaches as emphasised in the National Curriculum for England’s adult education framework
Meets criteria expected for Level 3 CAVA Learning Outcome 1 as specified by awarding bodies recognised in England’s qualifications and credit framework
Focuses on standards for professionalism and best practices in vocational assessment ensuring quality and fairness

End of plan.