Assessing the Impact of the ‘SkillSense for Assessment Mastery (SSAM) Programme©’ on Level 4 Higher Education Students : A Study on Assessment Initiatives

Abstract

This paper introduces the 'SkillSense for Assessment Mastery (SSAM) Programme©’ designed to teach assessment literacy in higher education, outlining its theoretical rationale and research-informed insights for its implementation. The SSAM Programme aims to enhance understanding of the learning process, offer personalized support, and align assessments with academic skills. Prioritizing fairness and diversity, it fosters a sense of belonging in the academic Community of Practice. The programme includes workshops with presentations, peer, and self-assessment activities based on the purposefully designed Academic Skills Feedback and Marking Rubric (ASR). Emphasis is on the vital importance of cultivating students' self-efficacy and essential skills. The initiative focuses on scaffolding reflective learning, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data for its ongoing evaluation. Empirical insights from this continuous evaluation within a UK Higher Education Institution during 2022-24 will also be presented briefly in this paper to demonstrate its effectiveness in promoting student development.