Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the purposes of assessment, the idea of over-assessment, the challenge of assessing complex forms of knowledge, and to finish, some practical ideas for teachers. It discusses the different purposes of assessment and the tensions between these. The book considers a number of practical and achievable strategies in five sections, including breaking the grading habit, re-evaluating what is considered to be teaching, focusing on assessing complex knowledge, reconceptualising both students and academics as apprentices in assessment, and finally, seeking to use integrative forms of assessment. It examines the overloading of both academic and student life. The book concludes with some common teaching strategies that provide options for meeting, or partly meeting, the requirements.