Moderation
What is moderation?
Moderation is a process which ensures that assessments:
- are fair, valid, and reliable
- assess the appropriate learning outcomes
- are managed effectively and fairly
- match information provided to students at the beginning of the course
- match information in the Course Descriptor
- apply the achievement criteria described in the Programme Regulations
A moderation planner schedules regular moderation of all assessments. Moderators are usually peers. Moderation should lead to improvements to assessments.
There are different parts to moderation:
1. Moderation of assessment materials takes place before the course starts. All assessment items should be reviewed together to check that learning outcomes are met, and all instructions and rubrics prepared for students are clear and easy to follow. The assessments should match the information in the Course Descriptor.
2. Check marking confirms that assessments have been marked appropriately and in line with other markers to ensure consistency.
3. Internal moderation involves both the moderation of assessment materials and assessor (lecturer) judgements. (This takes place once every two years.)
4. External moderation is an arrangement with another provider in New Zealand. (This is required at least once every three years.)
To prepare for Moderation of assessment materials, follow these steps:
➡️ Find your course descriptor. (Ask for help from your APM, Prog Co-ordinator/Discipline Lead or SQA to find it in the e-academic library if necessary.)
➡️Each type of moderation should lead to improvements in assessment delivery.2. Download the moderation form from the Nest (link below).
➡️3. Check the moderation planner to find out who the moderator will be.
➡️4. Provide the moderator with:
- course descriptor
- assessment material (briefs, instructions, rubrics/marking guide, etc) for each assessment.
➡️6. File in your Programme's moderation folder. Check the location with your SQA if necessary.
You can click here to a link to Te Aka where you can find out more and download the moderation form (scroll to the bottom of the page for the forms).
Note: once the course has begun, it is impossible to make any changes to assessments or rubrics, so if the moderator has any suggestions for improvements, these cannot be implemented once the course has started.
