DEMOS Project - Module: Assessment

Assessment case studies : Extra time

Course of Study : Law - Legal Practice Course (LPC).
Year of Study : Level 1.
Level of Study : postgraduate.

Assessment method

Students are required to interview fellow students in order to obtain information.

Skills assessed

Interview skills that would be applicable in legal practice.

What barriers does the student face in completing this assessment?

The student had a hearing impairment and used radio-aids. The student's written skills were excellent and it appeared that his ability to receive and convey spoken information was of a similar level.

Student was unable to complete the interviews in the allocated time. After discussions with course tutor and Learning Support Adviser it was discovered that he was unable to articulate fully under these time restrictions. In normal day-to-day activity these were skills that usually caused him no difficulties.

How was the assessment method altered?

The student was allowed additional time. He took very short breaks after each section of the interview.

The practical skill of interviewing was being assessed and although in some areas of legal practice time may be an issue it was felt that ability to interview was more to do with gaining the necessary information from the interviewee. Also in many situations interviews would take place in less restrictive circumstances.

The assessment could have been made open-ended for all students and this would make it inclusive for all. Students could be told that they are to continue interviewing until they felt they had enough information. They could also be given guidelines for the amount of time that was considered appropriate in this scenario so that overall assessment time did not become excessive.

Further notes

Course tutor and Learning Support Unit Adviser had a good working relationship and innovative use of assessment was received in a positive manner.

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