Exploring the 'wicked' problem of student dissatisfaction with assessment and feedback in higher education. Issue 1 (1st January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deeley, Susan J.; Fischbacher-Smith, Moira; Karadzhov, Dimitar; Koristashevskaya, Elina
• Is Part Of: Higher education pedagogies. Volume 4:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 405
• Publication Date: 2019-01-01
• Subjects: Assessment and feedback -- higher education -- student dissatisfaction -- 'wicked' problem; Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives -- Periodicals; College teaching -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; College teachers -- Professional ethics -- Periodicals; 378.001
• DOI: 10.1080/23752696.2019.1644659
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2375-2696

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Student dissatisfaction with assessment and feedback is a significant challenge for most UK Higher Education Institutions according to a key national survey. This paper explores the meaning, challenges and potential opportunities for enhancement in assessment and feedback within the authors' own institution as illustrative of approaches that can be taken elsewhere. Using a qualitative design, a review of assessment and feedback, which included an exploration of students' perceptions, was made in one College of the University. The findings highlighted variations in assessment and feedback practice across the College with dissatisfaction typically being due to misunderstanding or miscommunication between staff and students. Drawing on the review, we assert in this paper that students' dissatisfaction with assessment and feedback is not a 'tame' problem for which a straightforward solution exists. Instead, it is a 'wicked' problem that requires a complex approach with multiple interventions.