Abstract

A new PGCertHE course was developed at De Montfort University in 2017 which was designed to reflect the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the institution's inclusive teaching and learning framework. The Patchwork Screencast Assessment (PASTA) was designed with a dual purpose; firstly, to model the sort of inclusive, flexible and authentic assessment that we wanted to encourage academics to employ. Secondly, to replace essays as a means of assessing PGCert students with something focused more on formative learning and which demands that the participants can apply the theory to their practice. The PASTA requires learners to collect formative "ingredients" by means of weekly tasks that are associated with the learning topics. These can be prepared in flexible formats; videos, cartoons, writing and pictures are all encouraged. Weekly peer and tutor feed-in is encouraged. Finally, learners serve up their PASTA in a format that suits them best, for example a movie, a narrated PowerPoint or a voiced-over Word document are all accepted. The blend of reflection, theory and hands-on practice should have a distinctive taste which reflect the participant's students and teaching, oozing with evidence and bringing UDL practice to life. In a survey deployed to the first cohort, 100% student satisfaction and positive free-text comments were received. The PASTA is now employed on other courses as a UDL-friendly, authentic assessment. Due to its digitally-submitted nature, the PASTA might be helpful to others to consider as a post-covid PGCert assessment, particularly in light of the current drive within the sector to move towards more inclusive and authentic modes of assessment with a focus on assessment for learning.

Expected outcomes of this session:

To gain an awareness of how the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can be used to design a PGCert course, with a focus on inclusive, flexible assessment that requires authentic application of knowledge and skills.
To consider how a PASTA-style assessment might work for your PGCert/PGCAP course. The marking rubric and some examples will be shared.