Training Delivery and Assessment Policy
Purpose
Ensure students receive clear, accurate, and timely information about training delivery and assessment so they understand what to learn, how they will be assessed, what resources are required, and how to seek support. This policy operationalises ASQA expectations for clear assessment instructions, explicit assessment conditions, and transparent information and delivery practices.
Scope
Applies to all nationally recognised training and assessment delivered by Hammond Institute across classroom, blended, workplace, and online modes, including assessment conducted under simulation or in the workplace. It covers all learner communications, assessment briefs, unit outlines, study plans, LMS pages, and orientation materials.
Commitment
Hammond Institute is committed to achieving specific teaching and learning goals as follows:
- To engage industry and community partners in the development and contextualisation of course content and learning outcomes so training remains current and job‑relevant.
- To ensure teaching and support staff maintain professional and vocational currency and demonstrate the highest standards of practice through ongoing PD, industry engagement, and reflective evaluation.
- To continuously improve training and assessment methodologies to meet the developing needs of students, including through pre‑use reviews, post‑use validation, and analysis of outcomes data.
- To provide support and services that are inclusive of all students, with clear information, reasonable adjustments, and timely academic and wellbeing support in line with published service standards.
- To ensure that students at all levels have career and/or further educational pathways, with explicit advice on progression, credit, and articulation options embedded in orientation and course materials.
Principles
- Information and transparency: publish accurate, accessible course and assessment information before and during enrolment.
- Clear instructions: assessment tools include unambiguous student instructions, assessor guidance, and evidence criteria to support consistent judgements.
- Assessment integrity: adhere to principles of assessment and rules of evidence, with pre‑use reviews and post‑use validation.
Trainer expectations
- Trainers will be innovative in their practice, using contemporary pedagogy, industry‑relevant scenarios, and appropriate learning technologies to engage diverse cohorts while maintaining compliance with training product requirements.
- Trainers will inspire and enable lifelong learning by scaffolding learning, providing constructive feedback, and modelling professional curiosity and continuous improvement in every delivery mode.
- Trainers will be adaptive and reflective practitioners who use learner feedback, validation outcomes, industry engagement, and data on student progress to refine delivery and assessment in real time and across course cycles.
Requirements for training delivery clarity
- Pre‑enrolment information clearly states course outcomes, delivery mode(s), contact/placement hours, required resources, technology, and any workplace access needs.
- Unit outlines and study plans specify weekly topics, learning outcomes, assessment overview, due dates, and support contacts; online cohorts receive Online Service Standards.
- Trainers provide session agendas, learning activities, and resource lists in advance, and explain how activities prepare learners for assessment tasks.
Requirements for assessment clarity
- Each assessment brief includes: task purpose; step‑by‑step instructions; submission format; due date/time; allowable resources; conditions (e.g., open book, supervised, workplace evidence); and links to required templates.
- Evidence criteria and marking guides are provided to learners in plain English and are mapped to elements, performance criteria, knowledge, and foundation skills to reduce ambiguity.
- Assessment conditions mirror unit requirements; where simulation is used, conditions and resources reflect workplace realities as specified in the training product.
Rules of evidence and assessor guidance
- Tools and assessor guides explicitly address validity, sufficiency, authenticity, and currency, with instructions on third‑party evidence and authenticity checks.
- Assessors use observation checklists, questioning guides, and model answers to support consistent judgements across assessors and over time.
Student orientation and support
- Orientation covers: how to access unit outlines and study plans; where to find assessment briefs and rubrics; reasonable adjustments; extensions and special consideration; complaints and appeals.
- Students are advised of feedback within 10 business days and how to book support sessions for assessment clarification.
Online and blended delivery clarity
- Online Service Standards detail trainer availability, communication channels, technology requirements, response times, and participation monitoring for LMS activities.
- LMS pages mirror face‑to‑face documentation: unit overview, assessment schedule, instructions, resources, and announcements for changes.