Using technology to improve assessment facilitation on a Policing Apprenticeship Programme: From COVID-19 contingency to best practice

This article evaluates the introduction of an online assessment protocol to student officers on a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme in the aftermath of the implementation of the COVID-19 global pandemic lockdown. This evaluation comes from conducting two cycles of action research to examine and improve the provision of an online multiple choice/short question exam which came about as a result of the lockdown, and the necessary withdrawal of university staff from face-to-face contact. The study shows that the introduction of the online exam was successful and contributed to a positive student experience, while providing vital feedback to the programme team to make continual improvements and can be progressed after lockdown and into the ‘new normal’