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Unit information: Assessment, Learning and Intervention in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Assessment, Learning and Intervention
Unit code ACHSD0002
Credit points 20
Level of study D/8
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Gaulter
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department School for Policy Studies
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

Drawing upon a broad range of relevant psychological theory and its practical application, this unit examines perspectives on learning and development, including behavioural, psychodynamic and medical models. Concepts of adult-child proximation and the impact of learning contexts on individual behaviour have changed our understanding of children's learning difficulties to include interactive and ecological factors. Planning appropriate interventions acknowledges these wider perspectives. Areas covered include: Assessment of general intellectual abilities, rationale and practical techniques; Dynamic assessment; Norm- and criterion-referenced assessment; Curriculum-related assessment; Literacy, numeracy and their assessment; Specific learning difficulties and their identification; Assessment of learning environments; Knowledge, awareness and values that enables effective work with diverse client populations through a clear understanding of the influence of culture, gender, ethnicity and factors influencing social exclusion and underachievement; Use of informal and formal observation; Use of checklists, profiles and developmental schedules; Screening, baseline measures and value-added; Uses and abuses of testing, and the role of quantitative measurement in research; Test construction, validation and evaluation; Programme planning, drawing up of IEPs, use of Information Technology.

Aims:

To enable EPs to become reflective practitioners who are competent at formal, statutory work which requires an element of routine efficiency, but who also seek innovative, creative solutions which are realizable within the organizational frameworks in which they operate. To develop assessment and intervention skills that impact on work with individuals, groups and systems, based on a cycle of clarification, formulation, intervention and evaluation consistent with the reflective-practitioner model. To develop practical competence in a wide range of observation, identification, assessment and profiling strategies in relation to learning, behaviour and social contexts, across the age range 0-19 years, in the contexts in which they live or are educated. They will show evidence of ability to select, carry out and interpret and formulate interventions from a wide range of assessment strategies documented in fieldwork observation, practical portfolios and written reports.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, students will be equipped with the competence and strategies to apply educational psychology across a variety of different contexts through the development of creative approaches to assessment and intervention that draw on a wide range of theoretical models, frameworks and psychological paradigms. They will be able to make assessments of children, across the age range 0-19 years, in the contexts in which they live or are educated, with due consideration of the impact of differences and diversity on life opportunities. They will have developed an understanding of the implications for promoting equal opportunities and ethical applied EP practice. They will show evidence of ability to select, carry out and interpret a wide range of assessment strategies documented in fieldwork observation, practical portfolios and written reports. They will be able to support children, young people and their carers in contributing to the assessment process and the evaluation of interventions. They will also be able to work collaboratively with teachers and other professionals, as appropriate, to promote effective outcomes for clients.

Teaching Information

Blended learning will be delivered though a range of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Asynchronous activities will involve guided reading and synchronous learning will involve Blackboard collaborate and on-campus sessions where possible. This unit involves learning about assessment theory and practice essential for meeting the HCPC standards of the professional EP role. Sessions link closely with placement activities.

Assessment Information

Completion of a 4000 word assignment which shows the student's ability to critically appraise the strengths and limitations of a wide range of assessment approaches.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ACHSD0002).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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