1

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality AssuranceQualifications – Sue Foreman – November 2011

Unit 4 Understanding the principles and practices of internallyassuring the quality of assessment.

1 Understand the context and principles of internalquality assurance

1.1 explain the functions of internal quality assurancein learning and development.

The function of internal quality assurance in learningand development is primarily to ensure the quality ofassessment. It is the link between internal verificationand quality assurance. Its function is to manageassessments and to ensure the centre consistently meetsthe national standards and codes of practice of theawarding body and the assessment centre. Complying withthe standards of these bodies helps to maintain publicconfidence in providing training and the delivery of thequalification. The role also provides a premise ofmanaging risk in the validity and reliability of thequalification. (2.1)

1.2 explain the key concepts and principles of theinternal quality assurance of assessment.

The Edexcel Centre Guide to Assessment (2011) refers tointernal verification as the quality assurance system thecentre uses to monitor and verify assessment. The keyconcepts of internal quality assurance of assessment canbe primarily regarded to as the; dissemination of goodpractice; the facilitation of training and development;and the verification of assessment. The verification ofassessment is concerned with maintaining the quality ofassessment of all candidates; this includes the processof standardisation, sampling candidates’ portfolios and

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

2

the monitoring of assessment. The facilitation oftraining and development includes the support in thedevelopment of the assessors’ performance, knowledge andskills which also include locating relevant guidance andproviding feedback to the assessors. These key conceptshere support the concept of the verification ofassessment and all concepts are paramount to ensurecommunication throughout the process and the internal andexternal standards are maintained. The overall managementof the quality of the programme delivery ensures thequalification is set to the specifications of thequalifications and therefore they are reliable and validin its provision. (1.3)

1.3 explain the roles of practitioners involved in theinternal quality assurance

Primarily the practitioners’ role is to oversee andassure the quality and the verification of the centres’qualifications. It is also to support and to developassessors’ skills in the verification process. TheInternal Verifier (IQA) should monitor the work of allassessors involved with running the programme ofqualification. The IQA must ensure the consistency andvalidity of the assessment and judgments made by theassessors. The IQA must communicate with the awardingbody to seek current amendments and standardisationadvice and provide guidance throughout the verificationsystem within the centre. The IQA must sample andobserve the assessment process and keep up to records ofall activities to ensure the External Verificationprocesses are supported and relevant evidence isprovided. Constructive feedback should be given toassessors on their performance in order they can enhanceand disseminate good practice on assessment decision-making. Standardisation meetings must be organised tohelp support the quality of assessment, to ensurespecifications are complied with and validity remains atthe centre of good practice throughout the centre. Thedevelopment of the assessors’ role by should be supportedby ensuring training and practice is updated andquantified within the parameters of the qualifications.

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

3

EV actions must be interpreted and should be communicatedto the team to prevent any disciplinary sanctions.

1.4 explain the regulations and requirements forinternal quality assurance in own area of practice

The regulations and requirements for internal qualityshould be precisely followed to ensure all assessmentprocedures are fulfilled and therefore validated. The following procedures must be complied with:

A verification strategy to include a sampling planto include sampling all units and all candidatesover a 12 month period.

The IQA must sample a full range of assessment

methods and locations used for any one award. Eachassessor must be observed in a 12 month period andan observation record must be completed and kept bythe Internal Verifier.

The IQA is looking at the assessment decisions ofall the team and generally ensuring the qualitywithin their own faculty and qualification. This isdone by providing standardisation meetings andexercises with a group of assessors but moreimportantly continual assessment of assessor workand contribution.

Record keeping should include IQA assessment when itoccurs and interviewing candidates to ensureprocesses are kept up. This must include samplingstrategies, samples, information of assessors,assessment dates, agendas and minutes ofstandardisation meetings and action plans. Allrecords must be kept for a minimum of 3 years.

It is important to ensure that new assessors have aninduction and are compliant with the procedures.The IQA must provide them access to training andsupport throughout their induction period. Adviceand evaluation of training needs must be pivotal in

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

4

the IQA monitoring processes. This is to ensureconsistency, standardisation of the processes, anddevelopment and progress within the assessing teams.

The IQA must not assess work that they themselves havehad any part in the assessment process.The IQA process must be regularly monitored to ensureconsistency, validity and structural processes areconcurred.

2 Understand how to plan the internal qualityassurance of assessment

2.1 evaluate the importance of planning and preparinginternal quality assurance activities

The planning and preparing procedures of IQA activitiesare of pivotal importance to the effectiveness andvalidity of the accreditation of a centre and the IQAprocedures within the centre. However there are severalfactors that interrupt these processes however withproper planning and preparation many of these factors canbe reduced The City & guilds guidance document claimsthat many centres provide insufficient time to theinternal verifier to properly manage the assessment andresources. These resources include equipment, trainingfacilities, candidate support, learning materials andassessors. The current climate of reducing the number ofresources allocated to procedures can effectivelycompound this negative, however the planning andpreparation stages of IQA activities can support formalsystems within the centres and help to ensure that commonproblems are dealt with and the efficiency of theassessment procedures can be maintained. Planning shouldimplement the monitoring of performance requirements forassessors e.g. frequency of review, assessment reports,

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

5

attendance at team meetings. City & Guilds research haveshown that assessors’ workloads can be poorly judged andoften allocated on an ad hoc basis, the role of theInternal verifier should help support the candidate inthese issues.

The management of IQA procedures should include forwardplanning to ensure that candidates will continue to haveaccess to assessment, verification and appropriatematerials/equipment/facilities for a specified period,identified at the outset. The City and Guilds research(2010) have shown that this element has budgetaryimplications and they found clear evidence that in manycentres, the IQA is not regarded as sufficiently ‘senior’within their organisation to influence financial andpersonnel planning:

“The internal verifier should be in a position to report directly to the senior management of the organisation on all aspects of the centre’s N/SVQ programmes. Centres should ensure that, when seekingapproval to deliver N/SVQs they provide scope for appropriate input from the internal verifier into management systems so that continuing candidate access is assured and appropriate decisions concerning resources are made. City and Guilds Guidance Documents- studies on the function of Internal Verification”(2010)

http://www.cityandguilds.com/documents/New%20Folder/EQUALOPPSENGLISH.pdf; accessed on 26.10.2011

2.2 explain what an internal quality assurance planshould contain The internal quality assurance plan should be fullyaccountable and referential to update and currentnational standards the awarding bodies accreditationvalues of both the centre and the qualification and areconsistent with the occupational competences.

The external verifier will communicate firstly to theinternal verifier, who will be expected to have as the

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

6

‘City & Guilds Guidance for Assessors 2011’ suggest, theIQA must manage to incorporate in the quality assuranceplan to collate the relevant samples and information onnumbers of current registered candidates per N/SVQ andlevel: The following range of information to hand and inturn candidate centre enrolment and awarding bodyregistration details

• assessor details – specifically CVs, CPD records,assessor qualifications, development plans andworkloads

• candidate progress reviews and achievements, specialassessment requirements and equal

opportunities monitoring information• details for assessment records, plans, reviews and

tracking sheets• available candidate support resources• details of assessment sites including relevant

satellite or franchise arrangements• the internal verification sampling strategy• internal verifier records including feedback to

assessors, discussions with candidates• records of claims for certification• candidate portfolios• minutes of internal verification/standardisation

meetings• procedures for storage and retention of centre

records

(cited in, 2011 City and Guilds Code of practicehttp://www.cityandguilds.com/documents/Centre%20(Generic)/Guidance_on_internal_verification_of_NSVQs.pdf)

The IQA should work towards having a complete picture ofwhat the qualification represents to the candidate, thelocal area, the qualification bodies, the effect on localarea, particularly business and effective strategies forplanning for future training and development. To do thiseffectively the IQA must have accurate information on anumber of key points:

• Extra support including learning assessments(e.g.large print materials, IT equipment)

• Information regarding assessment i.e. ‘unsocial’hours

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

7

• Individual candidate progress• Potential new candidates• Timescales for the achievement of different

qualifications• Assessor availability (both current and projected).

The IQA should provide in the plan strategies to monitorcandidate progress against the initial equalopportunities information. Where it is found thatcandidates are not progressing as expected, a record ofactions taken to support the candidates should be made.

2.3 Summarise the preparation that needs to be made forinternal quality assurance, including:

• Information collection A large part of the IQA role is to ensure propercollection of evidence and documentation regarding theentire assessment process, primarily of the assessors’and their candidates performances and all properdocuments that involve this process. Added to thisshould be information surrounding the standards ofdelivery of the qualification, assessors’ performances,candidates’ criteria. Information should also includerelevant assessor and candidate needs and location ofcandidates and assessment locations. This informationshould be evaluated, collated and recorded in an IQA fileand in a central location to enable access to informationwhen required.

• Communication Communication should be regular and accessible with theEV and awarding body, the centre managers, the assessorsand in turn with the candidates. Access to all verifyingpersonnel should be formalised but according to theindividual requirements of the assessors and candidates.Mutual arrangements for appointments with assessors’ andcandidates’ quality assurance, standardisation meetingsand any further problem solving requirements should beplanned and regularly attended. It is important theinternal verifier should be able to call meetings of theassessment team and notify each assessor of the sampling

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

8

strategies and quality assurance plans made by the IQA.It is important to establish links with the relevantmanagement in order to gain support by the organisation,Faculty Directors and EVs to action any points that needattention.

Communication channels must be set up so that theinternal verifier can acquire relevant up-to-dateinformation on individual candidate progress. Thisaspect is to ensure the correct support is giventhroughout the assessment and quality assuranceprocedures.This can be done via email, face-to- face, VLE andtelephone or if necessary postal correspondence.

• Administrative arrangements The City and Guilds centre guidance documents (2011)explains the best way to describe the administration ofcentre records and systems is to consider the candidateprocess from start to finish. Records and systems shouldbe developed to ensure regulations, law and awarding bodyspecifications are followed to ensure security andconfidentiality of information but also to ensure thatall aspects of the qualification are covered.Information must be completed in compliance to The statutoryregulation of external qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland(2004) Information covers candidate information,enrolment, registering, and programme and qualificationinformation. Studies have shown that this is one area inwhich many centres are weak, as they consider this to bea simple task of filing or entries on a database. TheQCA (2006) recommends that there should be as much timeallocated for the planning of administration as formanage for managing Assessments and quality assurance.

“Centre administration is checked by awarding bodiesand regulatory authorities and they should beavailable, transparent and open for different typesof scrutiny. It is recommended that administrativeobligations are clear and streamlined administratorsare not usually members of the assessor or IQA teambut they can be”. (2006 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

9

• ResourcesAn IQA must locate and monitor relevant resourcesavailable to implement the IQA role and assessors’ roleby ensuring knowledge given to the assessors regardingany relevant documentation is accessible, up to date anda reflection of the national standards and awardingbodies specification. This should include qualificationspecifications, quality assurance documentation andrelevant assessment material. Training for the assessingstaff should be located and facilitated. Equal accessarrangements must be analysed and opportunities must beclear and available. Technological support andinformation management systems will hopefully beuniversally utilised and in turn the resources should beaccessible. Initial individual assessment plans shouldincorporate access arrangements for candidates andperipatetic assessors.

3. Understand the techniques and criteria formonitoring the quality of assessment internally

3.1 evaluate different techniques for sampling evidenceof assessment including the use of technology

The main aims of the sampling procedure is to ensure thatthe national standards of assessment are adhered to, toidentify problems or areas where assessors require adviceor development and to ensure that candidates are awareof, and satisfied with, the assessment process. It isimportant to ensure both summative and interim assessmenttechniques are used with a sampling plan.

Interim sampling is where the Internal Verifier “dips into” the assessment process, with the candidate and atdifferent stages, it will include reviewing candidateswork before decisions have been made on any unit andlooking at portfolios with one or two completed units.The process of feedback after interim sampling will helpto ensure possible corrective actions and furtherassessor training. It also provides opportunities toshare good practice and provide standardisation issuesthat need to be addressed. This process will also include

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

10

the observation of practical assessments and will beinformed by summative sampling.

Summative sampling involves reviewing the quality of theassessment decision by evaluating how the Assessor hasreached that decision. The IQA must be able to follow anaudit trail which clearly demonstrates that the Assessorhas checked that the evidence presented - whatever itsformat - meets the “rules of evidence”. This includesevidence collected for portfolio, computer aidedcompilation, video/audio tape or evidence identified andalternative assessment methods. Evidence must have beenconfirmed by the Assessor as, valid, reliable andrelevant to the specifications of the assessmentcriteria. Validity is reviewed by IQA to ensure evidencegathered is authentic and reliable.

Tucker and Olin (2008) suggest summative assessment isgenerally broader in scope than interim assessment; thistends to focus on a smaller part of the assessmentprocess. It also normally examines the validity ofevidence and the competence of the assessor judgementboth techniques could be integrated into an on-line andcomputerised collection of data and evidence. Bothsummative and interim sampling should be used and insupport of a sampling plan.

The appropriate criteria for judging and assessmentdecision making is outlined by City & Guilds and isincorporated by this model ‘Camera’. This model can beused to develop sampling plans which ensures IQAimplementing all the assessment criteria of:

C all candidates -Ethnic origin, age, gender, special needsA all assessors - Experiencequalification, workload,

occupational experienceM all methods of assessment -Questioning, observation, testimony, APL use

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

11

Simulation, productevidence, assignments,

Projects and testsE all elements of the qualification -Problemareas, special requirementsR all range requirements -specification,criteriaA all assessment locations -work placeassessments, college and other

Assessment locations

Using this model an IQA can implement the processes ofassessment and use this as a standardisation tool toreview, monitor and observe these main factors. It canbe used in several different sampling plans incorporatingdifferent locations and candidates within the same orover different disciplines. To ensure a robust and valid sampling plan an IQA mustcheck procedures, recording requirements and assessmentmethods, evidence collections and locations ofassessment. Tucker and Olin (2008)

“A sampling plan and record ensures that all aspectsof the assessment process: evidence gatheringmethods, observation requirements, a singleidentified unit and the full range of units aresampled for each and all assessors and that isevidenced on the records” Jenny Tucker and Ros Olin (2004:152)

It is important to ensure a cohesive plan so that theverification of assessment must be carried out throughouta period of assessment. City and Guilds (2011) does notrecommend ‘fixed dates’ throughout the process and alsoto make sure that verification does not take place at theend of the assessment process. ‘End loaded’ samplingshows lack of planning and does not ensure to eradicateor deal with concerns about the assessors performance orstandardisation issues naturally occurring.

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

12

One method of planning is to use the same identified unitand sampled across all assessors as it helps inform therationale of the sampling plan and a benchmark forstandardisation. The reviewing process however shouldinclude a minimum number of units sampled i.e. forinexperienced assessors a minimum of 3 units to besampled and for experienced assessors a minimum of twounits to be sampled from different candidates. The IQAshould focus on monitoring assessment practice throughobservation and should allow assessor to highlightproblems or concerns about assessment practice and plansshould be made to review the concern. All documentationsigned and dated and any actions from the sample must begiven an action date to ensure successful monitoring

Sampling policy must be reviewed to incorporateadditional support and the scrutiny of qualifiedassessors, but particularly new assessors. The firstjudgement in each unit assessed by an unqualifiedassessor is overseen and countersigned. The process ofsampling to inform the standardisation of activitiesacross the assessors and internal verifiers within eachqualification, this will help reduce the risk of problemswithin the units not being addressed

It has become more common to use technology within theIQA management processes. It involves a complete onlineassessment system which requires as a the SQA (2011)refers to as “the creation, storage and delivery ofassessments to candidates which must include the capture,marking, storage and analysis of their responses and thecollation, return and analysis of results”(http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/GuidelinesForOnlineAssessment(Web).pdf)

The NVQ Web (2011) predicts a well-designed computerisedinternal verification system enables the effectiveplanning and management of verification activities overthe year. It allows using resources such as a colourcoded spreadsheet which would show NVQ units that are tobe or have been verified. It identifies the different

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

13

assessment methods used. Online and colour coded systemsmake it very easy for a centre IQA management and leadinternal verifiers to identify how many units have beensampled and if there are problems or gaps in assessmentsand verifications. Candidate progress can also bemonitored. The system is also used to monitor learners'progress. The sampling strategy can be posted and madeavailable to all assessors and candidates so the systemtheoretically can become streamlined. The advantages ofthe system are particularly reconcilable when it comes toanalyzing data and the management of administration andrecord keeping. The system can become very effective inestablishing the gaps in candidates’ assessment andidentifying issues early. Of course the onlinetechnology requires access including ICT competence forall staff and candidates including a system that allowsinformation to be accessed in accordance to confidentialand legal requirements. (6.2)

3.2 explain the appropriate criteria to use for judgingthe quality of the assessment process

It is the process of standardisation that ensures theappropriate criteria to use for judging the quality ofthe assessment process takes place. Standardisationensures that the quality and consistency of assessmentand verification is fair, appropriate and equal. Theprocess of standardisation ensures the basic criteria ofvalidity, authenticity, sufficiency and competence of theprocess of judging assessment decisions. Shareskills(2008) describes standardiation this as:

“Assessors and verifiers should meet formally andregularly to standardise their practices. During thesemeetings, awarding body information/updates should bedisseminated and discussed. Good practice should also bediscussed and shared with all those present. Ideally, adifferent S/NVQ unit will be discussed at each meeting;with assessors and verifiers discussing and comparing howthey approach its assessment. Candidate portfolios should

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

14

also be taken to the meeting and made available so thatassessors can see the different approaches that aretaken, and verifiers can monitor assessments. Assessorsand verifiers should agree individual unit assessmentstrategies, to ensure standardisation and best practice”Shareksills (2008) http://www.shareskills- (4.2)

4. Understand how to internally maintain and improvethe quality of assessment

4.1 summarise the types of feedback, support and advicethat assessors may need to maintain and improve thequality of assessment

Feedback is derived from either the performance orassessment skills of the assessor. This must come fromthe sampling procedures which will primarily incorporateobservations of assessment methods and the sampling ofthe candidates’ portfolio for correct actions. Incorrectrecord taking and concerns with inaccurate development ofevidence should be feedback to the assessor.Recommendations for further training should also bederived from scrutiny of the portfolios and assessmentmethods. Tummons (2001) says that sometimes verifierssee verification feedback as being a one-way processwhere feedback is provided to the assessor throughwritten or oral feedback – end of story. However it isimportant to provide constructive and effective feedbackfor improvement to take place. Feedback must be two-wayso that improvements of all performances can take place.It is an opportunity for standardisation and toincorporate issues in subsequent meetings.

A good method is to hold a professional discussion butmust include the correction of errors and implicationsfor further training. Candidates should be interviewedregarding the assessment process to verify the recordsprovided by the assessors, to monitor their progresstowards their NVQ and to receive feedback on the qualityof support provided to them.

Reports should be made and recorded to enable ExternalVerification to pick up on any errors that can be

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

15

improved upon. This then becomes part of a nationalstandard than a personal aspect from the IQA:

An article produced from a series of internalverifications studies stated (2008)

“External and Internal Verifier feedback and guidanceshould be always be justified and if necessaryaccompanied by explanation and reference to sourcedocumentation. There should also be a clear distinctionbetween personal preference and official guidance orregulatory requirements” (2008) www.intechcentre.com P a g e | 3)

4.2 explain standardisation requirements in relation toassessment

The NVQ Web (2011) suggests:“All assessors will be provided with an inductionprogramme and issued with their own copy of thestandards for the NVQ. They will be allocated asuitable number of candidates and provided withinformation about their location and any particularassessment requirements they may have. Allassessments methods used by the assessors will bemonitored and a process check, adjust and ensurethat assessment criteria and processes (includingboth the administration of the assessment itself,and its marking) are applied consistently byassessors and verifiers so that comparisons ofresults can be made between groups (e.g. over time,between different ages and sexes, etc.).” NVQ Web

Standardisation meetings should be held with the full NVQteam, this will include all assessors, the IQA and seniormanagement. The meetings will help to develop asupportive, non-threatening environment where assessorsare able to share issues and concerns in order to ensureeach assessor makes valid assessment decisions. Themeetings will focus on areas such as revisions tostandards where appropriate, problems with generatingevidence, the validity and sufficiency of evidence, thedifferent approaches by assessors and candidate progress.

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

16

The minutes from all meetings will be distributed toattendees and all action points monitored to ensureimplementation.

It is suggested by the City and Guilds regulationcommittee that meetings should be held weekly in thefirst instance to ensure ease of implementation thenfortnightly thereafter. In addition to these, regularcommunication with the satellite site will be maintainedvia telephone and email. Although this is arecommendation these timings are rarely kept within acentre especially due to recent enforced reduction infinancial support and other pressures on staff within anestablishment. Meetings should be supported by all staffand senior management, however time may not allow suchregular contact and alternative regular meetings shouldbe attended by mutual arrangement. This is probably anissue to discuss with the External Verifier to ensurebest practice despite other limitations.

4.3 explain relevant procedures regarding disputes aboutthe quality of assessment

Interim and summative sampling and assessments enable thecandidates to actively participate in the assessmentprocess. If this participation is to be taken seriouslyby all parties then it must be accepted that there willbe times when the candidate’s and assessor’s perceptions,as to whether evidence meets National Standards, aregoing to be different. In such circumstances, thecandidate has right to appeal in line with the CollegeAcademic Appeals Regulations and/or those provided by theAwarding Body. (LW/MO z/Policies/Internal Verification for NVQ Procedures. Page10)

The appeals procedure should be similar across allcentres in which the candidate and assessor must beinformed of the right to appeal, the process and themethod of which they can do so. At all times thisprocess must be transparent and access provided to allindividuals involved equally in the assessment process.

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

17

They must then be given relevant access to information sothat they can do so.

5. Understand how to manage information relevant to the internal quality assurance of assessment

5.1 evaluate requirements for information management,data protection and confidentiality in relation to theinternal quality assurance of assessment

It is important to manage information towards internalquality assurance of assessment for several reasons butprimarily to ensure the validation and accreditation ofthe qualification. It must be kept to provide evidence ofgood practice and authorised access must be ready forsubstantiation. It is the law under the Data ProtectionAct (1995) to ensure all personal information is recordedand confidentially kept to ensure privacy is maintained.All personal information must be protected and with nounauthorised access and all information to be continuallysecurely kept for 3 years after completion of thequalification.

All NVQ records will be kept and maintained in centreportfolios, these will include staff CVs, D or A unit orIQA certificates, staffing structure, records ofContinuous Personal Development (CPD) and IV/IQA/EVrecords. Evidence of internal verification will berecorded on the following forms:

Internal Verification Planning Schedule Internal Verification Sampling Sheet Portfolio Sampling – Feedback to Assessors Internal Verification – Observation of Assessors

Performance Checklist Candidate Feedback on Assessment – IQA Sampling IQA Assessment Checklist Portfolio Sampling Report

Candidate files, assessor records and certificate claimswill be kept securely and details of all candidateregistrations and assessor feedback forms must also bekept within the centre for Internal and External

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

18

Verification purposes. To keep the information and filesnecessary to comply with the law and awarding bodiesstipulations is time- consuming and requires archivespace for a number of years. Technological advances willensure streamlining of this aspect of the record keepingand would limit the space required to do so.

6. Understand the legal and good practice requirements for the internal quality assurance of assessment

6.1 Evaluate legal issues, policies and proceduresrelevant to the internal quality assurance of assessment,including those for health, safety and welfare

It is necessary to comply with the City & Guilds legalspecification towards internal quality and assuranceincluding health, safety and welfare are as follows:

“That centres should ensure that the Learner Data isaccurate and up-to-date and send to City & Guilds anupdate at least quarterly (1) if there is any changeor correction to any Learner Data previouslydisclosed to City & Guilds, (2) if there is anyrefusal of processing of Learner Data by a datasubject for any reason; - ensure that the LearnerData is used only for the purposes for which it wascollected; - not disclose the Learner Data to anythird party without the consent of the Learner”

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

19

This is a requirement and these requirements should beup-held to ensure accreditation and the professionalismof the centre.

6.2 Evaluate different ways in which technology cancontribute to the internal quality assurance ofassessment

The NVQ Web (2011) predicts a well-designed computerisedinternal verification system enables the effectiveplanning and management of verification activities overthe year. It allows using resources such as a colourcoded spreadsheet which would show NVQ units that are tobe or have been verified. It identifies the differentassessment methods used. Online and colour coded systemsmake it very easy for a centre IQA management and leadinternal verifiers to identify how many units have beensampled and if there are problems or gaps in assessmentsand verifications. The system is also used to monitorlearners' progress

The sampling strategy can be posted and made available toall assessors and candidates so the system theoreticallycan become streamlined. The advantages of the system areparticularly reconcilable when it comes to analysing dataand the management of administration and record keeping.The system can become very effective in establishing thegaps in candidates’ assessment and identifying issuesearly. Of course the online technology requires accessincluding ICT competence for all staff and candidatesincluding a system that allows information to be accessedin accordance to confidential and legal requirements.

6.2 Explain the value of reflective practice andcontinuing professional development in relation tointernal quality assurance

Excellence gateway explains reflective practice as:“Reflective practice is a process which enables youto achieve a better understanding of yourself, yourskills, competencies, knowledge and professional

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

20

practice” http://tlp.excellencegateway.org.uk/tlp/stem/manstem-engineering_pt4.pdf

New teaching and learning strategies claim that there isno learning without reflective practice and it is throughthe experience of learning, working through reflectivepractice procedures to evaluate and review your ownperformance that you improve your own performance andlearn how to guide others through their learning. It isthe continual questioning that helps to widen theexperience and ensure quality improvement by diligentmonitoring of others and cross referencing with your ownperformance within the internal verification process. Itis not easy to learn the reflection skill but once youhave the method it never leaves you and your confidenceand competence grows with it. ~It is the reflectivepractice of yourself and others that is the key forcontinual improvement and thus compliments the keyconcepts of Internal Verification.

6.3 Evaluate requirements for equality and diversityand, where appropriate, bilingualism, in relation tothe internal quality assurance of assessment

The statement within the college policies and proceduresfound in the staff portal site says this:

“We are committed to giving everyone who wants togain one of our awards an equal opportunity ofachieving it in line with current UK legislation andEU directives (for example, recognising therestrictions on people who work with, or want towork with, children and vulnerable adults). Wesupport equal opportunities in education, trainingand employment, and will take positive action theinternal verifier should monitor candidate progressagainst the initial equal opportunities information.Where it is found that candidates are notprogressing as expected, a record of actions takento support the candidates should be made.” (YeovilCollege Staff Portal 2011)

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

21

To put the policy into practice successfully City & Guilds suggest we need to make sure that copies of the policy is given to all candidates, staff, verifiers and centres and make it accessible for anyone who asks for it. Development activities are available for all personnel and a review of the aims of this policy when wedevelop and review our awards and assessment guidance. Continual monitoring and reviewing of the effectiveness of the policy and ensure an effective appeals procedure. We will expect centres to tell candidates how to find anduse their own equal opportunities policy and appeals procedure. (http://www.cityandguilds.com/documents/New%20Folder/EQUALOPPSENGLISH.pdf)

It is difficult to evaluate this statement as it isimportant to comply with this statement and policyrecommendations and I see no reason to diversify fromthis except to ensure all aspects of equal access to allcandidates are made and improvements should be madewhenever possible. Opportunities should be found toensure resource materials are compliant, that allcandidates have further individual learning andassessment plans to comply with their own diverse needsand requirements. Look for further opportunities toimprove standardisation within the qualifications.

Bibliography:

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

22

Centre guide to assessment Edexcel (2011) http://www.edexcel.com/quals/BTEC/Documents/CentreGuidetoAssessment.pdf accessed on 02.11.2011

City and Guilds Guidance Documents- studies on the function of Internal Verification (2010)http://www.cityandguilds.com/documents/New%20Folder/EQUALOPPSENGLISH.pdf; accessed on 26.10.2011

City and Guilds Guidance Document (2011)http://www.cityandguilds.com/documents/ind_generic_docs_policydocs/Guidance_on_internal_verification_of_NSVQs.pdf: accessed on 26.10.2011

Computerised internal verification system - Training for Today - 2/3 (2008)http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=107306 ;accessed on 26.10.2011

CPD through reflective practice (2011) http://tlp.excellencegateway.org.uk/tlp/stem/manstem-engineering_pt4.pdf accessed on 02.11.2011

Education: The roles of internal verification: (2011) https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/RR327.pdf; accessed on 02.11.2011

Info technical centre (2011) info@intechcentre.com • www.intechcentre.com P a g e | 3 – accessed 02.11.2011

Jenny Tucker and Ros Olin (2004) The NVQ Assessor and Verifier Handbook: A Practical Guide to Units A1, A2 and V1 London: Routlege

NVQ Web articles (2011)http://www.nvqweb.com/articles/assessor-and-verifier-articles accessed on 02.11.2011

Shareksills (2008) http://www.shareskills- ultimedia.co.uk/Assessor%20Verifier%20Preview.pdf – accessed on 04.11.11

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011

23

SQA Guidelines for online assessment (2011) http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/GuidelinesForOnlineAssessment(Web).pdf ;accessed on 26.10.2011

Tummons (2007) http://www.learningmatters.co.uk/sampleChapters/pdfs/9781844451845-2.pdf accessed on 26.10.2011

Yeovil College Policies and Procedures (2011) https://portal.yeovil.ac.uk/CookieAuth.dll?GetLogon?curl=Z2F&reason=0&formdir=3 accessed 26.10.2011

EDI Level 4 Internal Quality Assurance Qualifications – Sue Foreman –November 2011