| Title | 27. A quiet hope |
|---|---|
| Subtitle | Enhancing institution-wide inclusive assessment practices |
| Contributor | Siobhán O’Neill (author) |
| Laura Lee (author) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0462.27 |
| Landing page | https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0462/chapters/10.11647/obp.0462.27 |
| License | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ |
| Copyright | Siobhán O’Neill; Laura Lee; |
| Publisher | Open Book Publishers |
| Published on | 2025-07-02 |
| Long abstract | This chapter explores the multifaceted role of assessment in Higher Education—as a tool for evidencing learning, promoting student autonomy, and preparing learners for the workplace. Traditional assessment approaches often fall short of addressing the diverse needs of today’s student body, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds. In response, this chapter advocates for inclusive assessment practices that actively engage learners and provide equitable opportunities to demonstrate achievement. Drawing on staff feedback indicating a demand for professional development in this area, the authors describe the design and implementation of a Digital Badge course. This resource offers staff conceptual and practical insights into inclusive assessment, supported by discipline-specific and cross-disciplinary case studies, and hands-on tools for redesigning assessment practices. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the project’s next phase—delivering the course and collecting participant feedback—while encouraging staff to engage in scholarship of teaching and learning to evaluate the impact of their assessments on inclusive assessment principles. |
| Page range | pp. 315–330 |
| Print length | 16 pages |
| Language | English (Original) |
Siobhán O’Neill is a Research Support Officer in the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics (formerly of the Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning) and a PhD Candidate in the School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork (UCC). She is an experienced researcher, having worked on a wide range of research projects, including curriculum and intervention design. These projects included the development and implementation of a Bystander Intervention for the prevention of sexual and relationship violence in 3rd level, an exploration of the teaching and learning opportunities afforded by makerspaces, and the co-development of an inclusive assessment course for university staff with teaching responsibilities. Her PhD work explores daily life experiences and psychobiological wellbeing, which inform her research practices. Siobhán’s current research interests include the exploration of innovative and creative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment, with a focus on Universal Design for Learning and inclusive assessment frameworks.
Dr Laura Lee is the Learning Enhancement Project Manager in University College Cork’s (UCC) Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning. Laura provides professional development opportunities for staff to support inclusive teaching, learning, and assessment practices across the institution. She teaches a Digital Badge in Universal Design for Learning and was Principal Investigator on the project through which the Inclusive Assessment Digital Badge was developed. More broadly, Laura spearheads initiatives aimed at enhancing Learning and Teaching throughout the institution by leading UCC’s strategic utilisation of annual Learning and Teaching Enhancement funds allocated by the Higher Education Authority.