Moderation
Who, What, Why, When?
Unitec's moderation has four key components:
- Moderation of Assessment Materials
- Check Marking
- Internal Course Moderation
- External Course Moderation
Once completed, it can be used as evidence if a change to an assessment is required, for instance, improving assessment instructions or tasks.
You can find forms & more information about moderation here on the Nest. Scroll to the bottom of the Nest page to find a link to the report forms.Why do we do it?
- to provide assurance of the quality of summative assessments
- to assure ākonga and stakeholders that assessment practices have produced credible results
- to provide an independent peer/stakeholder review of summative assessment material and judgments.
- to provide helpful feedback for teachers on where and how assessment practices can be improved. Moderation feedback can be used as evidence if a change to an assessment is required, for instance, improving assessment instructions or tasks
- to display excellence in Kaitiakitanga – responsible guardianship of knowledge
The Programme's PAQC will track the moderation to ensure this quality process is occurring as scheduled.
Here is a quick guide to Unitec's different types of moderation:
|
What |
Why |
How often |
When |
Form |
|
Moderation of assessment materials (includes all assessments in a course) |
Confirms all course Learning Outcomes have been met with the assessments |
Before any new/changed assessment is used OR during internal & external moderation |
Before the start of semester if an assessment is new/changed OR during internal & external moderation |
|
|
Check marking (Assessor judgements)
Include a high, middle, low, outliers, borderlines, not-achieved (minimum 3 samples; no. of samples should be appropriate to the number of assessments overall) |
Confirms assessments are being marked appropriately |
Every semester for exams
Every second year for other assessments OR more frequently if: · new/less experienced lecturers OR · significant changes have been made to the assessment materials OR · the assessment is delivered across multiple sites or via different modes of delivery OR · sub-contracted |
Immediately after the assessment has been marked and before grades are released to students; make changes to marks if necessary/agreed before releasing to students |
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|
Internal course moderation (includes assessment materials & assessor judgements (3 samples from 3 students for all the assessments) |
To confirm that the assessments in the course meet all of the Learning Outcomes |
At least once every 2 years OR as required by PAQC |
After grade approval * Do not alter student results due to moderation outcomes but note for the next time the course is taught |
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|
External moderation (includes all the assessment materials & assessor judgements for a sample of 3 students for all the assessments) |
To confirm externally that the assessments in the course meet all of the Learning Outcomes |
Once every 3 years |
Do not alter student results due to moderation outcomes but note for the next time the course is taught |
Moderation report template |