ABSTRACT

Assessment is a term that throws most of us into some kind of turmoil – from a mild feeling of apprehension for some, to a real sense of panic in others. At an emotional level, assessment is felt to be about being tested, having to ‘come up with the goods’. So, if it has such unpleasant connotations, why do it at all? There are several answers to this question, and what an individual wants to accomplish through the assessment process will depend on where he or she stands. This chapter explores the issues surrounding the value and purposes of assessment through a discussion of the following key questions:

Why assess in the first place?

What should be assessed in design and technology?

How can you make assessment useful?

How can you make assessment manageable?