Work

The mechanism of impact of summative assessment on medical students’ learning

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: It has become axiomatic that assessment impacts powerfully on student learning, but there is a surprising dearth of research on how. This study explored the mechanism of impact of summative assessment on the process of learning of theory in higher education. Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with medical students and analyzed qualitatively. The impact of assessment on learning was mediated through various determinants of action. Respondents' learning behaviour was influenced by: appraising the impact of assessment; appraising their learning response; their perceptions of agency; and contextual factors. This study adds to scant extant evidence and proposes a mechanism to explain this impact. It should help enhance the use of assessment as a tool to augment learning.

Source: Advances in Health Sciences Education

DOI: 10.1007/s10459-010-9232-9

Authors: Francois J. Cilliers, Lambert W. Schuwirth, Hanelie J. Adendorff, Nicoline Herman, Cees P. van der Vleuten

Institutions: Stellenbosch University, Maastricht University

Language: English

Topic: Innovations in Medical Education

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290