Innovations in Assessment, Student Experience and Professional Development in Higher Education

Gladson Chikwa is a Senior Lecturer in Academic Development at Manchester Metropolitan University.Josephine Deguara is Senior a Lecturer in Early Childhood and Primary Education at the University of Malta.Edwin Rajah is a Principal Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic (Auckland Campus) where he teaches Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, and Research Methods.Yanmin Zhao is Lecturer and a Programme Coordinator for the Doctor of Education course at the Graduate School of the Education University of Hong Kong.

In this comprehensive edited volume, the experiences and perspectives of a range of experienced Higher Education (HE) practitioners from across the globe coalesce around the theme of ‘innovation’. The book takes a threefold focus on the value of authentic assessment, formative feedback and assessment literacy in developing student agency and independence; relational approaches for enhancing student experience, sense of belonging and ensuring responsiveness in curricula; and, thirdly, the value of compassionate and person-centered professional development for educators. The book is a must read for all HE educators looking for creative inspiration and fresh ideas for building inclusive and empathic HE curricula and practices.

• Part 1: Innovations in Assessment and Feedback in Higher Education Chapter 1. A pandemic legacy: Adapting new modes of Teaching Practicum assessment for student teachers in early and primary schools in Malta – Narrative perspectives from six examiners; Josephine Deguara and Josephine Milton Chapter 2. Improving student engagement through employer-focused assessment; Wilfrid Flanda Chapter 3. Building assessment literacy and collaboration skills through group assessment in Midwifery Education; Christopher Little and Jodie Preston Chapter 4. Subjectivity and agency in initial teacher education: The role of authentic assessment; Conor Mellon and Yvonne Emmett Chapter 5. Walking a tightrope: Using formative feedback to support independent and self-directed learning; Edwin Rajah, Waruni Hewage, and Asanthika Imbulpitiya Part 2: Innovations in Student Experience in Higher Education Chapter 6. The future development of pedagogical innovations in the development of professional learning during and after teacher education: A scoping review; Yanxin Shao and Yanmin Zhao Chapter 7. The impact of student voice in dynamically influencing teaching practice and curriculum design; Claire Stocks, David Wooff, and Dawne Irving-Bell Chapter 8. Personalising student retention and success through employing recent graduates as student success officers; Luke Millard, Noelle McAra, Jan Law, Euan Dempster, and Lee Hutchison Chapter 9. Everyone matters: How targeted contextualised study support increases continuation rates; Julie Warden, Thomas J. Robshaw, and Maria Azmanova Chapter 10. Finding home away from home: Exploring postgraduate students’ sense of belonging at a UK University; Min Hooi Yong, Gladson Chikwa, and Javairia Rehman Part 3: Innovations in Professional Development in Higher Education Chapter 11. Coaching as a potent tool for personal and professional development in higher education; Catherine Best Chapter 12. Addressing the professional development needs of the Community of Practice facilitator; Frances Boylan, Melanie R. Brown, and Jennifer Harvey Chapter 13. Developing and enabling educators: An Open Education and Pedagogy of Care approach to design and deliver a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgCAP); Javiera Atenas and Jo Trowsdale Part 4: Scholarly Case Studies Chapter 14. Case 1: Reflecting on assessment and feedback strategies in the Foundation Year Psychology Programme; Yue Yue Chapter 15. Case 2: Shaping global citizens: Developing intercultural competence through summer volunteer programmes; Nayiri Keshishi and Shelini Surendran Chapter 16. Case 3: Digital Badges in Higher Education: Next Steps; Susannah Donkor