We have based the NextGen: HN approach to qualification development on SQA’s service design model, with lots of evaluation along the way. With my experience as a qualification and assessment designer, I believe this is a great way to develop qualifications. We find that discussions with stakeholders – those delivering the qualifications, or those who will use the qualification outcomes – indicate what will make qualifications work. These discussions are invaluable in the development of our qualifications.
We found that the discussion around grading has been a delicate balancing act between the need to have a consistent set of NextGen: HN design principles and ensuring that we allow enough flexibility to ensure that the NextGen: HN approach is valid. Therefore, although all NextGen: HN qualifications have whole-qualification grading, the content and assessment for individual qualifications should look different.
This is where we utilise the expertise of our pilot centres – in particular, their expertise in delivery, their understanding of learners, and their connections to local HEIs and employers.
We’ve carried out a series of grading review meetings for the grading aspect of the project. Pilot centres have openly reflected on and discussed their delivery of the different grading models, always with a view to getting the best outcomes for learners. I’ve really enjoyed this process. The meetings have allowed us to discuss:
- how assessments will support grading
- how grading matrixes have worked, and
- how centres have managed their standardisation.
This has culminated in our single set of grading design principles.
The grading design principles will bring consistency to the NextGen: HNs whilst allowing centres to adapt and develop their own assessment approaches. This will allow them to use their experience and expertise to deliver high quality qualifications. We’ve developed a short video, highlighting the grading principles, which can be viewed on our website.
We will be completing the final grading review meetings this year, which will focus on the NextGen: HNDs, as these qualifications started delivery a year after the NextGen: HNCs. This will allow us to see how some of the first conclusions we reached have been put into practice – in general we’ve already seen these are working very well.
Piloting and evaluation are coming to an end, and these will be our final grading review meetings.
I’d like to personally thank everyone who has contributed; whether agreeing with the new approaches or challenging the approach to allow us to improve. It has resulted in a robust foundation on which we can build the future delivery of these qualifications.
