Charting the territory: Assessment terrains in undergraduate education

This paper explores potential sources of misalignment between lecturers’ expectations of student learning and assessment and students’ consequent attempts at engagement. Based on data from two research projects conducted at the regional ‘Irwin’ University, the authors chart the territory of undergraduate study in the context of increasing diversity, including many students who are the first in their families to attempt tertiary study. First there is an analysis of observable assessment practices typically undertaken as part of a three year program. Second lecturers’ beliefs, knowledge and actions in relation to assessment are investigated and reported on. Their views on assessment are compared to students’ reported experiences of assessment that lead to a sense of misengagement. Finally, the authors propose a set of non-negotiables that respond to student ‘misengagement’ and enhance alignment between the lecturers’ and students’ expectations of assessment