Design of a Self-Assessment Proposal for the Development of Student Self-Regulation in Higher Education

Abstract

Competency assessment in Higher Education is one of the biggest challenges which universities face nowadays. This paper shows the evolution of a transversal methodological proposal in an online master’s program, for the development and evaluation of the students’ self-regulation capacity through a self-assessment strategy based on a dialogue with the teachers. This evolution, the result of the continuous evaluation of the proposal implementation, entails changes both in the initial methodological approach as well as in the integration of technology as a facilitator of the process. Based on the concept of student-centered design, a longitudinal study is suggested over three academic years in which the opinion and perception of the program’s students and teachers are systematically collected. In particular, and through an analysis of aspects for improvement emerging in each of the three phases, a set of decisions are identified to the original design that has finally led to the creation and integration of an ad hoc tool for the support of competencies self-assessment and to self-regulation in a virtual environment. The conclusions of this study highlight the importance of thinking about solutions in an integral way, including scaffolding activities for student self-reflection, teacher training in competency-based learning and evaluation, and development or integration of appropriate tools for the support of these processes.