SDU Universitetspædagogik

VUE

The Tool for Developing Assessment Methods (VUE) is a tool for evaluating the correlation of learning targets and assessment methods for individual subjects and entire study programmes.

Each type of assessment method is evaluated in terms of its validity, reliability, resources and scope for digitisation. Also, for each type of assessment method, there is an explanation of ways in which the assessment method could influence students’ learning behaviour (backwash effect from testing to teaching) and an explanation of the degree of acceptance it has among students, teachers and other stakeholders.

The descriptions are based on individual exams but many of the methods are also suitable for group exams. Whether this is the case is stated in the description of each assessment method. Please note that specific rules applies to assessing students’ performance in a group exam (The Examination Order - § 13-15).

A schematic diagram of the relationship between assessment methods and learning objectives is found at the VUE section, VUE diagram.The VUE diagram shows which assessment methods are best suited for testing which types of learning objectives. The appraisal of the test potential for each assessment method is inspired by previous research and development in this field and is based on our descriptions of the method on the basis of the evaluation criteria. The crosses are of course open for discussion.

VUE for Developers of Study Programmes  and Teachers

One of the target groups of VUE is the developers of study programmes, including heads of studies and course organisers. Developers of study programmes can use VUE when revising existing study programmes or developing new ones. Here are some examples of using VUE in this context:

• to assess how well the learning objectives of a subject are tested using a specified assessment method
• to find inspiration for selecting different types of assessment methods to assess specified learning objectives
• to work with combinations of subjects and types of assessment methods
• to test an entire study programme with regard to the prioritisation of learning objectives in terms of evaluation, i.e. how many assessment methods overall test each individual type of learning target
• to provide an overview of which assessment methods is best suited for testing which types of learning objective
• to produce an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each assessment method in relation to finances and digitisation
• to assess the relative validity and reliability of different types of assessment methods
• to produce an overview of how various assessment methods can meet the requirement for digitisation
• to produce an overview of the breadth of acceptance of various assessment methods among students, teachers and other stakeholders
• to produce an overview of the most economical assessment methods

The other target groups of VUE is university teachers. Here are some examples of how teachers can use VUE:

• to become aware of how the course’s assessment method or methods can influence students’ learning behaviour, this can be important for dealing with any unintended consequences when planning the semester and individual classes
• to become aware of problems relating to validity and reliability associated with the way the subject is tested, and to find inspiration for dealing with these problems
• to gain insight into how requirements for digitisation of assessment methods can result in changing the conditions for organising teaching
• to produce an overview of the extent of alignment between a given subject’s learning objectives and the assessment method used
• to find inspiration to develop the subject, including any future change to the type of assessment method, for better alignment with the learning objectives for the subject

---