Does assessing project work enhance the validity of qualifications? The case of GCSE coursework

dc.creator	Victoria Crisp
dc.date	2009-03-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-07-20T22:08:21Z
dc.date.available	2015-07-20T22:08:21Z
dc.identifier	1477-5557
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/efd3b1dd2cc94068a935795cabd2881a
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/11956
dc.description	This paper begins by describing current views on validity and how certain assessment forms, such as school-based project work, may enhance validity. It then touches on debates about the dependability of assessment by teachers. GCSEs and GCSE coursework are then described along with the reasons for the inclusion of coursework in many GCSEs. Crooks, Kane and Cohen’s (1996) chain model of eight linked stages of validity enquiry is then used as a structure within which to consider the validity of project work assessments, and specifically GCSE coursework assessment, drawing on the available literature. Strengths for validity include the ability to assess objectives that are difficult to test in written examinations, promoting additional skills such as critical thinking, creativity and independent thinking, and improving motivation. Possible threats to validity include the potential for internet and other types of plagiarism, tasks becoming overly structured and formulaic thus reducing the positive impact on learning, and the potentially heavy workload for teachers and students. The paper concludes by describing current policy changes in the UK with regard to GCSE coursework and relates this to strong and weak validity links for project work as a mode of assessment.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	Institute of Education, University of London
dc.relation	http://www.educatejournal.org/index.php?journal=educate&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=184
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/1477-5557
dc.source	Educate~, Vol 9, Iss 1, Pp 16-26 (2009)
dc.subject	Assessment
dc.subject	validity
dc.subject	project work
dc.subject	coursework
dc.subject	GCSE
dc.subject	Theory and practice of education
dc.subject	LB5-3640
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Theory and practice of education
dc.subject	LB5-3640
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	DOAJ:Education
dc.subject	DOAJ:Social Sciences
dc.subject	Theory and practice of education
dc.subject	LB5-3640
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Theory and practice of education
dc.subject	LB5-3640
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.subject	Theory and practice of education
dc.subject	LB5-3640
dc.subject	Education
dc.subject	L
dc.title	Does assessing project work enhance the validity of qualifications? The case of GCSE coursework
dc.type	article