Award
Graduate Certificate in Education
Duration
12 months, 4 x 10 week units
Location
100% online
The Graduate Certificate in Education (Assessment of Student Learning) (GCEASL) is no longer accepting enrolments as this course is being phased out to make way for a new offering in 2022.
During the phase out period, the course will continue to be accredited but no new students will be accepted. ACER has decided to cease registration as an Institute of Higher Education with TEQSA once the Graduate Certificate in Education (Assessment of Student Learning) has finished, which means that we will no longer offer TEQSA accredited courses after 31 October 2022.
Arrangements are in place to ensure all existing students can either complete or transition from the Graduate Certificate in Education (Assessment of Student Learning) by October 2022.
Past and current students can request a copy of their records or discuss their future study plans by contacting our team at courses@acer.org.
In 2022, the ACER-accredited Assessment Leader Program (ALP) will be launched for those who are interested in continuing their learning journey with ACER.
If you would like further information, please contact our friendly admissions staff by emailing courses@acer.org
In this course, you will:
- Gain the confidence and knowledge to make decisions and take action as a leader in assessment.
- Develop new ways of thinking about assessment and its value in student learning.
- Learn how to critically evaluate different assessment methods and use judgements to make timely, appropriate selection in various learning contexts.
- Learn practical techniques to design and implement the right assessments for individual students and contexts.
- Gain the hands-on skills to use assessment evidence to inform and improve current practice, plan next steps for students, and identify professional development needs.
- Get access to the latest global research that is driving educational change in Australia and worldwide.
- Achieve formal recognition with a Graduate Certificate of Education from world-renowned experts in assessment, ACER.
We understand not everyone comes from the same starting point. Whether you’re new to teaching or have decades of experience, our program is tailored to those who want to become leaders in student assessment.
Our entry requirements are simple:
- You have an undergraduate degree (at least) in a relevant discipline from an approved tertiary institution
- You have experience in an education setting
- Meet the minimum English language entry requirements: if you are not a native English speaker, an International English Language Testing System (IELTS)(Academic) assessment with an average band score of 7.5 across all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing is assumed.
- Not sure if you qualify? Talk to our team – we’re ready to help.
‘Assessment of Student Learning’ is delivered online to offer maximum flexibility. It comprises four units studied on a part-time basis. It can be completed in a twelve-month period or extended over a period of up to three years.
Assessment to Promote Learning
Unit 1 GCEASLAPL
Develop an in-depth understanding of the purpose and importance of assessment for learning. This unit builds a strong foundation for subsequent units in the Graduate Certificate Education: Assessment of Student Learning.
You can also choose to study this unit as a stand-alone non-award professional development course.
Assessment Methods
Unit 2 GCEASLAM
Delve deeper into assessment theory and practice. Explore the strengths and limitations of different assessment methods. Develop a practical understanding of the criteria for selecting different assessment methods, and start building the skills to put them into practice with students.
Estimating Student Progress
Unit 3 GCEASLESP
Learn how to use assessment results to reach decisions about where individuals are in their learning. Gain the practical techniques to reach valid and reliable conclusions about learning progress of students which will inform your teaching.
Using Assessment Evidence to Inform Teaching and Learning
Unit 4 GCEASLUAE
Once you have collected assessment data, what next? Develop the techniques to use assessment insights to make more informed decisions in the classroom. Gain a breadth of skills to harness assessment evidence in practical ways, resulting in more effective teaching and learning progress.
| Unit | Cost |
|---|---|
| Assessment to Promote Learning (APL) | $1750 |
| Assessment Methods (AM) | $1750 |
| Estimating Student Progress (ESP) | $1750 |
| Using Assessment Evidence (UAE) | $1750 |
| 4 unit course total | $7000 |
All prices are in Australian dollars (AUD) and include GST where applicable.
How to apply
This course is conducted on demand for groups of educators that want to become leaders in assessment. Please contact ACER to discuss study opportunities.
The course provided a chance for me to reflect on my practice and challenged me to think critically in moving forward. The content is relevant, interesting and up to date with newest research and innovation. Most importantly, it is practical.
Elise Pape
Year Leader and Classroom Teacher, Oakleigh, Victoria
Postgraduate news articles
This learning experience was one of the best I have engaged in for a long time. It addressed really specific issues related to my role and therefore I was able to not only consider but apply, reflect and reapply what I was learning... Facilitation and support within the course was timely and specific, modelling our investigations in practice. I cannot more highly recommend this course for those that want to delve deeper into student learning and assessment.
Carolyn Gedling
Curriculum Director, The Franconian International School, Germany
Why study with ACER?
100% online
Work online at your own pace. Our part-time, online course gives you the flexibility to study to your own schedule, on any device, anywhere in the world. Our sophisticated online learning environment is designed to provide a seamless study experience. Watch lectures at a time that works for you. Access articles and resources on demand. And connect with tutors, academic staff and peers in real time.
Dedicated support
Get personalised support from our team. We support you throughout your education, so you stay engaged and on track to complete your qualification, no matter your life and work commitments.
World-renowned experts
Gain the competitive edge with a course led by internationally recognised assessment experts. Drawing on ACER’s work at the forefront of international educational research and assessment, the Graduate Certificate of Education: Assessment of Student Learning gives you everything you need to excel in educational leadership. Take your next step in your teaching career, with the confidence you are backed by the world’s best.
Community of leaders
Thrive in a community of aspiring educational leaders. This course attracts intelligent, creative and ambitious education professionals from diverse teaching backgrounds. You each bring real-world challenges from your workplace into the online classroom to examine and practice together. Talk through challenges with your peers and tutors in the online forum. Share ideas and new thinking. This is where leaders are made.
Course learning outcomes
- understand the theories and research evidence underpinning the purposes and principles of assessment and feedback in the teaching and learning cycle
- understand the uses of moderation and triangulation of data sources to inform judgements
- critically evaluate assessment in relation to defined frameworks
- critically evaluate a range of assessment methods, and use appropriate criteria to select and judge evidence
- build students’ capacity for self-assessment and peer assessment
- use appropriate criteria to make unbiased judgements of student achievement based on evidence
- use assessment evidence to inform and improve current practice, identify next steps for students and identify professional development needs.