Developing a digital application for quality assurance of assessment programmes in higher education

L.H. Schellekens*, M. Van der Schaaf, C.P.M. Van der Vleuten, F.J. Prins, S. Wools, H.G.J. Bok

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to report the design, development and evaluation of a digital quality assurance application aimed at improving and ensuring the quality of assessment programmes in higher education. Design/methodology/approachThe application was developed using a design-based research (DBR) methodology. The application's design was informed by a literature search and needs assessment of quality assurance stakeholders to ensure compliance with daily practices and accreditation requirements. Stakeholders from three study programmes evaluated the application. FindingsAs part of the development of the application, module- and programme-level dashboards were created to provide an overview of the programme's outcomes, assessment methods, assessment metrics, self-evaluated quality indicators and assessment documents. The application was evaluated by stakeholders at the module and programme levels. Overall, the results indicated that the dashboards aided them in gaining insight into the assessment programme and its alignment with underlying assessments. Practical implicationsVisualisation of the assessment programme's structure and content identifies gaps and opportunities for improvement, which can be used to initiate a dialogue and further actions to improve assessment quality. Originality/valueThe application developed facilitates a cyclical and transparent assessment quality assurance procedure that is continuously available to various stakeholders in quality assurance.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)346-366
Number of pages21
JournalQuality Assurance in Education
Volume31
Issue number2
Early online date1 Nov 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Quality assurance application
  • Assessment programme
  • Improving assessment quality
  • Ensuring assessment quality
  • Higher education
  • DESIGN-BASED RESEARCH
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • MODEL

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