Improving Student Learning – For What?

The 15th Improving Student Learning Symposium, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 3–5 September 2007.

Love, life and learning: responsible assessment for the 21st century

Patricia Broadfoot
University of Gloucestershire

Keynote address

Tuesday 4 September 11.40–12.40

We know that Assessment drives learners and shapes their learning. Yet it has been one of the slowest aspects of educational practice to change in response to current challenges associated with new types of learning and new kinds of learners.

In this keynote I will identify some of the key elements of a new approach to assessment that is in harmony with 21 st century learning priorities, including harnessing the potential of ‘A-learning’ to focus on the fundamental elements of building ‘learning power’.

I will also explore the potential of a new way of assessing learning power itself to encourage the urgently needed new perspectives on teaching and learning.