Research group Research on didactics, evaluation and assessment has a long-established tradition at the Department of Education at Umeå University. It is organised around a broad interest in evaluation and assessment foremost from a perspective that acknowledge school and education in terms of social justice.
In the light of the vast number of changes and reforms within the educational sector since the 1990s, this has become a crucial area of research. Activities related to evaluation have expanded and so has the place of inspection, grading, and quality assurance within the debate concerning education policy. This research deals with implications of the so-called audit society on individuals, organisations, and societies. Further on studies concern learning- and socialisation effects related to grading, assessment, and examination within education.
The audit society
Research on the extensive activities related to evaluation and audit that distinguishes the current education system as a part of state governance.
Assessment and examination
Research on learning- and socialisation effects related to grading, assessment, and examination within education. This research focuses on both effects and problems of grading in compulsory and post-compulsory education (campus based as well as distance based). Attention is also paid to the new written assessments in compulsory school and examination- and assessment practices within internet based courses in higher education.
