Underpinning quality assurance in trust-based e-assessment procedures

Abstract

Assessment is a key aspect of curriculum design and is fundamental to the learning process. The methods used for assessment are of prime pedagogical importance as they have a direct bearing on both teaching and learning provision and the learning experience. Assessment methods must be planned so that they align well with intended learning outcomes in e-assessment procedures in particular, in order to ensure reliable and secure learner authentication and authorship in online and blended learning environments. A framework for quality assurance in trust-based e-assessment processes was developed in accordance with these objectives. The framework has been designed in line with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) to assure the applicability of the e-assessment system to all online and blended learning environments while respecting the shared European framework for quality assurance (QA). This chapter provides contextual information on the quality assurance of higher education in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and presents in more detail the rationale behind the development of the framework, together with aspects that need to be taken into consideration when designing and implementing the quality assurance of e-assessment.