Student attitudes to, and achievement in, an innovative and authentic biotechnology assessment based on a 'Consultancy Response to Tender'.
Saved in:
| Title: | Student attitudes to, and achievement in, an innovative and authentic biotechnology assessment based on a 'Consultancy Response to Tender'. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Dean, Andrew P.1 (AUTHOR) andrew.dean@mmu.ac.uk, Redfern, James1 (AUTHOR), Shaw, Kirsty J.1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Biological Education (Taylor & Francis Ltd). Feb2026, Vol. 60 Issue 1, p30-45. 16p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Authentic assessment, *Student engagement, *Biotechnology, *Student attitudes, *Higher education, *Active learning, *Educational evaluation |
| Abstract: | In recent years, there has been a significant reappraisal of assessment in HE, with increased attention towards authentic assessments, which are defined as those that are 'authentic or work relevant', or that 'change the nature of student engagement or participation'. This paper investigates the design, implementation, and evaluation of an undergraduate unit based around an authentic assessment – the delivery of which was atypical to previous student experience. The unit had a modular structure with three separate mini-projects, each student writing up one for the consultancy style 'Response to Tender' assessment. Quantitative data were analysed for in-person attendance, online engagement, and assessment mark, while student attitudes towards the assessment were collected via questionnaires. Students reported high satisfaction, appreciated the real-world applicability, and identified the unit as providing useful skills for the future, including employability. They appreciated the active learning approach employed, stating that the design and approach of the unit encouraged attendance. The evidence provided here shows that the adoption of authentic assessment approaches, with assessments clearly linked to real-world applicability, can lead to high student satisfaction and engagement, and a positive student and staff experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
|---|---|
| Header | DbId: enr DbLabel: Energy & Power Source An: 191070549 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
| IllustrationInfo | |
| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Student attitudes to, and achievement in, an innovative and authentic biotechnology assessment based on a 'Consultancy Response to Tender'. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dean%2C+Andrew+P%2E%22">Dean, Andrew P.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> andrew.dean@mmu.ac.uk</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Redfern%2C+James%22">Redfern, James</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shaw%2C+Kirsty+J%2E%22">Shaw, Kirsty J.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Biological+Education+%28Taylor+%26+Francis+Ltd%29%22">Journal of Biological Education (Taylor & Francis Ltd)</searchLink>. Feb2026, Vol. 60 Issue 1, p30-45. 16p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Authentic+assessment%22">Authentic assessment</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+engagement%22">Student engagement</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biotechnology%22">Biotechnology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+attitudes%22">Student attitudes</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+education%22">Higher education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Active+learning%22">Active learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+evaluation%22">Educational evaluation</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: In recent years, there has been a significant reappraisal of assessment in HE, with increased attention towards authentic assessments, which are defined as those that are 'authentic or work relevant', or that 'change the nature of student engagement or participation'. This paper investigates the design, implementation, and evaluation of an undergraduate unit based around an authentic assessment – the delivery of which was atypical to previous student experience. The unit had a modular structure with three separate mini-projects, each student writing up one for the consultancy style 'Response to Tender' assessment. Quantitative data were analysed for in-person attendance, online engagement, and assessment mark, while student attitudes towards the assessment were collected via questionnaires. Students reported high satisfaction, appreciated the real-world applicability, and identified the unit as providing useful skills for the future, including employability. They appreciated the active learning approach employed, stating that the design and approach of the unit encouraged attendance. The evidence provided here shows that the adoption of authentic assessment approaches, with assessments clearly linked to real-world applicability, can lead to high student satisfaction and engagement, and a positive student and staff experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=enr&AN=191070549 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1080/00219266.2025.2450301 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 16 StartPage: 30 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Authentic assessment Type: general – SubjectFull: Student engagement Type: general – SubjectFull: Biotechnology Type: general – SubjectFull: Student attitudes Type: general – SubjectFull: Higher education Type: general – SubjectFull: Active learning Type: general – SubjectFull: Educational evaluation Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Student attitudes to, and achievement in, an innovative and authentic biotechnology assessment based on a 'Consultancy Response to Tender'. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Dean, Andrew P. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Redfern, James – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Shaw, Kirsty J. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 02 Text: Feb2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00219266 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 60 – Type: issue Value: 1 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Biological Education (Taylor & Francis Ltd) Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
