Standardisation


This page covers:

  • What is standardisation

  • Support for teachers and learners

  • Standardisation activities

  • Technology

  • Examples of using technology for standardisation

  • Benefits of standardisation

  • Standardisation resources for immediate download


What is standardisation?

It is a process which ensures all staff, for example: teachers; trainers; assessors; and quality assurers interpret and follow the requirements of the programme or qualification in the same way. The process helps to ensure that all those involved are consistent and fair to all learners throughout their time with the organisation. 

Standardisation of practice enables people to work as a team rather than on their own, and helps them to give an equitable service to learners. However, any individual learner needs should always be taken into account. This may mean differentiating some teaching, learning and assessment materials to suit the particular needs of learners. Initial assessment can be used to identify any individual needs. This should not be limited to the beginning of a programme, but be regularly checked as a learner's needs could change as they progress.

Scroll to the end of this page for resources regarding standardisation.


Support for teachers and learners

  • Resources to support teachers and learners can be found by clicking here.

  • Information regarding teaching qualifications can be found by clicking here.

  • Videos can be seen by clicking here.

  • Scroll to the end of the page for downloadable standardisation resources.


Standardisation activities

Various activities can be carried out to aid the standardisation process. These could occur during meetings; as part of peer observations; or by using technology. Videos could be made of staff standardising their practice, such as completing various documents. This would enable other staff to view them, perhaps if they couldn't attend the meeting, or could be viewed as CPD for a refresher.

Standardisation activities can include:

  • discussing the qualification/programme requirements to ensure everyone interprets them the same way

  • preparing materials for induction and initial assessments

  • creating schemes of work, session plans and course materials

  • discussing how to give a consistent delivery by different teachers delivering the same subject

  • interpreting policies and procedures

  • designing or revising assessment and quality assurance documents

  • discussing decisions made by other assessors

  • comparing how documents and records have been completed

  • creating assessment materials, assignments and recommended answers

  • shadowing experienced staff

  • peer observations and feedback to ensure consistency of practice

  • role play activities such as: assessment planning; making a decision; providing feedback; dealing with a complaint

  • internal quality assurers agreeing how their practice will be consistent to support their assessors.

Standardisation meetings are different to team meetings. The latter are to discuss issues relating to the management of the programme, for example, awarding organisation updates, targets, success rates and any learner issues.

Records should be maintained of all standardisation activities and any identified actions, which should be completed by a set date. An external quality assurer will want to view the records if it’s applicable to the qualification.

Scroll to the end of the page for resources regarding standardisation.


Technology

Technology can be used for standardisation activities and is ideal if not all the team members can attend a meeting or activity at the same time, or are located in different venues.

When standardising the decisions assessors have made based on electronic evidence, it’s important to be sure the work does belong to the learner, and that the assessor has confirmed the authenticity of it. 

You can find out more regarding authenticity at the end of this page.

You can find out more regarding using technology on this page.


Examples of using technology for standardisation

  • holding meetings via Zoom, Team, Skype or using videoconferencing facilities to discuss the interpretation of aspects of a programme, qualification or unit

  • using online webinars to enable staff to meet virtually, and to standardise delivery and assessment approaches

  • creating, updating and sharing documents online (e.g. in the cloud) such as schemes of work, session plans, assessment activities and course materials

  • taking digital recordings or videos of role play activities or case studies, for example, an assessor making a decision and providing developmental feedback. Assessors could view the recordings remotely to comment on strengths and limitations of a particular method

  • making visual recordings of how to complete documents, forms and reports. If a staff member is unsure how to fill in a form they could access a video to see an example

  • visually recording standardisation activities and uploading them to an intranet or virtual learning environment (VLE) for later viewing.


Benefits of standardisation

The main benefit is that it gives a consistent experience for all learners, no matter who their teacher, trainer or assessor is. It’s also a good way of maintaining professional development. It can ensure compliance and accountability with awarding organisations' and regulatory authorities' requirements.

The benefits can include: 

(in alphabetical order)

  • an opportunity to discuss changes and developments

  • assessment decisions are fair for all learners

  • clearly defined roles and responsibilities

  • compliance with relevant codes of practice

  • confirmation of own practice

  • consistency and fairness of delivery and assessment decisions

  • empowerment of teachers, trainers and assessors

  • giving staff the time to formally meet

  • maintaining an audit trail of aspects standardised

  • meeting quality assurance requirements

  • re-assessment to spot errors or incorrect decisions by assessors, plagiarism or cheating by learners

  • setting action plans for the development of activities, systems and staff

  • sharing of good practice

  • spotting trends or inconsistencies

  • succession planning if staff are likely to leave

  • upholding the credibility of the delivery and assessment process and practice.


Standardisation resources available for immediate download


Template - Standardisation record for assessed work (in Word) (50p)
(Ref AT002)

2 page template in Word which can be used to document the standardisation of assessment decisions. A completed example is available to purchase below.


Completed example of a standardisation record for assessed work (£1.50)
(Ref A9062)

2 page completed example of a standardisation record for the re-assessment of a learner's work towards a Customer Service qualification. A blank form in Word is available to purchase as a template above.


  • Resources to support teachers and learners can be found by clicking here.
  • Information regarding teaching qualifications can be found by clicking here.
  • Videos can be seen by clicking here.

  • More resources are available,

    click here for details.


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