Enhancing student learning through assessment: recent developments and research on new modes of assessment

During the past decade traditional assessment practices in schools have been advocated to be replaced by so-called new modes of assessments. As learning environments are redesigned according to constructivist principles, it seemed that traditional examinations are no longer appropriate (Macdonald, 2006). This chapter depicts the recent developments about assessment, exemplifies its principles for three ‘new’ modes of assessment and gives information on three empirical studies, recently conducted by this research group. The aim is to emphasise assessment as a vehicle to encourage student learning; the ‘assessment for learning’ purpose.