Teachers as learners: Exploring the impact of accredited professional development on learning and assessment in Irish higher education

Abstract

The works presented in this volume exemplify the practice of assessment explored through accredited professional development (APD) across Ireland and the impact this has had on individual lecturers, students, modules and programmes. Taking part in an accredited programme and completing the associated assessment engages lecturers in practical strategies for change. The second impact of assessment is the impact of the experience of assessment – the experiential learning about assessment that lecturers do as part of the accredited APD – has on their work as lecturers. Lecturers assess differently having considered assessment in theory and having experienced it in practice. The experience gives lecturers the language to engage in professional dialogue about assessment with themselves, their programme teams and most importantly the students.