Trinity Assessment Framework
The Trinity Assessment Framework recommends that Programmes in the Trinity Curriculum
be designed to include a range of appropriate assessment strategies and tasks that support
effective learning, provide students with opportunities to practice new forms of assessment, and enable achievement of the full spectrum of graduate attributes.
Trinity Assessment Framework
The framework is cyclical and represents an institutional approach that encourages ownership and development of an effective and innovative assessment strategy. It has three interrelated layers: Tenets; Enablers; Areas of Focus.
Trinity Assessment Framework PDF Download
Assessment Tenets
Assessment in Trinity should:
- Support the acquisition of graduate attributes;
- Support learning;
- Be programme-focused;
- Support meta-learning;
- Actively engage students and staff.
In order to support the implementation of the assessment framework, the academic year structure has facilitated a move away from what is currently a very heavy focus on assessment of learning to one of assessment for learning and assessment as learning. At the centre of the proposed framework is the principle that there should be fewer, but more meaningful assessments and that these should be distributed more effectively across the academic year/s. It also creates space for reflection on learning, independent project work, group work, field trips and other forms of individual and collaborative learning, and reduces the intensity of teaching.
Assessment enablers
Constructive change in assessment practices/policy in Trinity is enabled by development of an infrastructure to support change. The following areas are considered essential enablers:
- Professional Development;
- Fractional secondments/sabbaticals to the Centre for Academic Practice;
- Quality (including curriculum review and development);
- Technology;
- Guidelines and resources;
- Reward and recognition.
Areas of focus
The following areas of focus are integral to the framework and to enhancing assessment in Trinity:
- Assessment of Graduate Attributes;
- Programme-focused assessment;
- Range of Assessment;
- Self & Peer assessment.