Learning Plan

 Learning Plan

A learning plan is a tool used by tutors/assessors to inform learners of what criteria will be used to evaluate learning and how assessment will take place.  A learning plan, sometimes referred to as a learning contract, is prepared for each learner enrolled in a programme.  Learning plans should be prepared and reviewed for all units of a qualification. There should be frequent planning, reviewing and feedback to the learner.  Below is a sample learning plan:

Assessment Planning Checklist

 

Assessment Planning Checklist

When an assessment is being planned, the main things an assessor need to consider are:

᥇ Identify what has to be assessed

᥇ Decide which assessment method to use

᥇ Agree a date and time of assessment with the learner

᥇ Identify the location and any equipment needed

᥇ Prepare resources

᥇ Agree learner needs and any support required

᥇ Record everything on a plan

Centre Update Declaration

 CENTRE UPDATE DECLARATION 

A centre update declaration  (CU) is used to inform the awarding body of any changes and update made to the centre after receiving official centre approval.

See sample form below

Internal Verification Sampling Procedure

SAMPLING PROCEDURES

Sampling is one of the tools used by the internal verifier to check that all assessors make assessment judgments against national standards and that assessment judgements are reliable and consistent.

The strategy for sampling procedure should be agreed and explained. Sampling strategies usually depend on the size and organisational structure and must take into consideration all assessors and candidates across all assessment sites. Below is a sample of an IV Sampling Procedure

INTERNAL VERIFICATION (IQA)

SAMPLING PROCEDURE

1		INTRODUCTION
		This sampling strategy outlines the internal verification sampling methodology, the range of assessment covered, the outcomes assessments for all learners and the documentation of this process.  The procedure is designed to ensure quality, equity and consistency throughout the assessment and internal verification activities.  The sampling shall in its totality allow internal verification to comment on the validity, authenticity and currency of the assessment process by covering; all internal verifiers, assessors and assessment methods across all units of competence.
2		RESPONSIBILITY
		It is the responsibility of the Internal Verifiers and Assessors to adhere to this process. It is the responsibility of the Assessment Manager to ensure the continued accuracy and effective operation of this process.
3		DEFINITIONS
		Internal Verifier: -                       Assessor: -	The Internal Verifier is the person responsible for developing, monitoring and maintaining a quality assurance system within the Centre to ensure learners are assessed fairly and accurately. The role is required to monitor and regulate the assessment process to ensure a consistent approach and manage risk. There are three main aspects of the internal verification role. ·         Verifying assessment ·         Developing and supporting assessors ·         Managing quality of course delivery The Internal Verifier is also responsible for implementing and adhering to the Internal Verifier sampling procedure.  He or she must keep records of the internal verifying process, along with records of all assessment standardization meetings which is his or her responsibility to chair and record. The assessor is the person responsible for assessing candidates’ performance and related knowledge in a range of tasks and ensuring that the competence/knowledge demonstrated, meets the requirements of the qualification.
4		PROCEDURE
		Objectives ·         Ensure that the assessment and verification personnel operate from established policies and procedures. ·         Review and evaluate assessments at different stages of the assessment process to ensure quality and consistency of assessment outcomes ·        Maintain detailed records of internal verification process for external verification purposes. Sampling Strategy ·         A selected sample of candidate evidence and assessor feedback will be internally verified once every quarter by the internal verifier, for the duration of the programme.  This shall be recorded on the relevant internal verification forms. ·        The Internal Verifier will provide constructive feedback to each assessor within two working days. ·        The Internal Verifier will Identify any weakness in the assessment process and decide on an appropriate course of corrective action. ·        Where required, the Internal Verifier will recommend and facilitate development and training for assessors. ·        Assessment standardisation meetings will be held by the Internal Verifier once every quarter for the duration of the programme. ·        The Internal Verifier will be the main contact within the centre with the City and Guilds External Verifier.
5		APPEAL
		If the assessor is in disagreement with the feedback given by the internal verifier and wishes to appeal, he or she can elect to appeal to the Assessment Manager who is the person responsible for ensuring that the management, administrative and quality assurance systems for all City and Guilds qualifications are properly maintained throughout the centre. The Assessment Manager will investigate the procedures followed and review whether the decision taken was made fairly and correctly in accordance with proper procedures. The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the assessor in writing within five working days 0f the appeal meeting.  The Assessment Manager’s decision off the appeal is final.

Internal Verification - Quality Assurance

IQA Quality Assurance

What is Quality Assurance?

Quality assurance refers to a continuous process that is embedded in the design and delivery of a qualification to ensure its validity, integrity and value.

What is internal verification?

Internal Verification (IV) also known as Internal Quality Assurance (IQA), is the process for planning, sampling, monitoring, evaluating and keeping detailed records of training and assessment. Internal verification happens at regular intervals and continues throughout the learner’s training journey.

What is the purpose of internal verification?

Training centres have the responsibility of ensuring that their system of quality assurance is an effective and well documented one.  They should also ensure that the system is based on the principles of assessment, which state that assessments carried out during the course of training should produce outcomes that are:

• Valid – evidence produced must meet all learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
• Authentic – work produced by the learner.
• Reliable – assessment tools should produce consistent results.
• Current – assessment evidence is up-to-date.
• Sufficient – the learner produced enough evidence on which the assessor can make a judgement.
• Fair – the design of a program does not limit or stop a learner from completing it irrespective of their characteristics. For example; gender, ethnicity, age etc.

Benefits of internal verification

Having an effective internal verification system brings many benefits to centres. These may include:

• Enables and ensures fair, accurate and consistent assessment judgements across all centres.
•  Ensures that all staff understand standards and can apply them.
•  Ensures that any quality concern is captured.
•  Facilitates collaboration with external colleagues.
•  Help protects assessors from decision challenges to their professional decisions.
• Ensuring the record-keeping and assessment decisions are right.

Who is an internal verifier?

This is the person that monitor and support both the tutor and assessor.

Roles of the Internal Verifier (IV)

• Develop, monitor and evaluate the internal quality assurance processes.
• Assist in the development of programs of learning.
• Monitor the quality of tutors/assessor’s performance.
• Ensure the standardization of assessment
• Ensuring compliance with awarding body requirements
• Provide support, give feedback and report on the performance of  tutors/assessors. 
• Ensure the completion, filing and safe storage of evidence.  
• Assist in the development of marketing and promotional materials for training programs.