An exploration into student perceptions of how a Patchwork approach to assessment impacts on their skill development towards future employability

In 2018/19 a new module within the Sport Coaching and Development UG Degree Programme (Level 6) ran for the first time with the aim of developing students’ professional teaching skills and subject knowledge of physical education, health and wellbeing. The sub-aim of the module was to prepare students for employability towards pathways that could include teaching, coaching and sports development arenas.
The module learning outcome – to support authentic and creative learning experiences in the
delivery of PE – led the module leader to mirror these experiences in the assessment design. This resulted in a work-based, applied assessment that took the students on a developmental journey by providing opportunities for formative feedback post sequential activities (e.g., patchwork text design – Winters, 2003). In addition, the assessment sought to assess creative and authentic teaching practices that met the clients’ needs. This “close to practice” research will explore the benefits of the assessment approach to the development of knowledge and the students’ perception of skills development and confidence towards future employability.

Specifically, the study aims to explore:
• What elements of the assessment process were most valued by students and why.
• What elements promoted deeper learning and skill development, as evidenced by the quality of the output.
• Barriers and recommendations for implementation of the assessment approach for others.