The pre-assessment learning effects of consequential assessment: modelling how the examination game is played
Francois J. Cilliers · 2012
It has become axiomatic that assessment impacts powerfully on student learning, but there is a surprising dearth of research on how.This study explored the mechanism of impact of summative assessment on the process of learning of theory in higher education.Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with medical students and analysed qualitatively.The impact of assessment on learning was mediated through various determinants of action.Respondents' learning behaviour was influenced by: appraising the impact of assessment; appraising their learning response; their perceptions of agency; and contextual factors.This study adds to scant extant evidence and proposes a mechanism to explain this impact.It should help enhance the use of assessment as a tool to augment learning.