Characteristics of assessments used in the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET)

In the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, you need to understand the different types of assessment which include initial assessment, formative, summative, holistic and diagnostic to determine your learner’s knowledge, skills and attitudes but the question is, what methods should you use for these. When we talk about assessment methods, we are talking about methods such as exams, assignments, portfolio, peer and self-assessment.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training assessment methods

As we specialise in the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, we will discuss the assessment methods used for the qualification so let’s start by describing the two different categories or formal and informal. Formal assessment methods are the assessments which confirm learning and can be validated by the awarding bodies to issue certificates. Formal methods are generally at the end of learner programme and likely for summative assessments. Formal assessment which is to determine on going progress generally doesn’t count towards any achievement but is for the tutor or assessor to check their understanding of the subject material.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training essay

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is assessed via an essay, but our own format is to break the essay down into questions to make the process easier to digest by the learner’s, so they are completely aware of what needs to be covered. The benefit of asking questions is that the learner can work through each question one by one to get to the end. In the essay format, the learner could cover all aspects in one piece but then you are asking the learner to ensure that the essay covers every single learning outcome and often, one or two get missed and therefore the learner refers. By using questions, the first-time pass rate is significantly higher as there is a process.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training - work products

The next assessment method used in the Level 3 Award in Education and Training is a work product. In this method, you will create a lesson plan based on what you learned in the classroom and attempt to create a 15 minute microteach session to aid inclusivity (involving all) and to create an assessment to ensure learning has been achieved. Following completion of the session plan, you will now deliver your session to your peers where you will be observed by your tutor. At this stage, you are delivering your session, but the tutor is the one that is observing you to ensure you meet the learning outcomes.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training self-reflection

Following on from your session, the Level 3 Award in Education and Training stipulates that you complete a self-reflection detailing what went well, what could be improved, and it encourages you to create an action plan for our own development. Whilst this is going on, your peers will also assess your session and give you constructive feedback which will help you with your own action point as your learners are the best people to inform you if you motivated them, engaged them and ultimately helped them learn.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training IQA

Lastly to finish off the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, you will put together all your work into a portfolio where the internal quality assurer (IQA) can check that everything is in good order and can be submitted to the awarding body for certification.