The moderators for the session were Dr. Tejinder Singh, Principal, CMC Ludhiana, Dr. Selva Titus Chacko, Dean, College of Nursing, CMC Vellore and Dr. K Ramnarayan, the Vice President, Faculty development and Alumni Relations, Chairperson, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Jaipur Campus and the former Vice Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Dr. Judith A Noronha, Associate Dean welcomed the gathering and introduced the moderators.  

Dr. Anice George, Dean Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education in her opening remarks emphasized the importance of the curriculum convention and the theme for the day “assessment for learning and assessment of learning’, as assessment is considered as an essential part of teaching learning process.  

Dr. K. Ramnarayan in his presidential inaugural address emphasized that assessment drives learning. He expressed that formative assessment when compared to summative assessment is more important in bringing the changes in the learner’s behaviour. He described the six “F” of formative assessment such as facilitating, feedback, frequency, friendly, fast and fun-filled which need to be incorporated during the process of assessment.  

Assessment of learning, usually summative, is mostly done at the end of a task, unit of work etc and it is designed to provide evidence of achievement to parents, other educators and the students themselves. Assessment for learning, i.e., formative assessment happens during the learning, often more than once, rather than at the end.  

The half day event began with a brain storming session framed into six groups randomly selected from all levels on the two themes – Existing Assessment and Dream Assessment for the nursing curriculum. Strengths, weaknesses and modifications of theory and practical assessment methods are identified. First three groups presented their view points. Next three groups depicted dream assessment through the role-play. Ideas were critiqued by the members and well shared with Do’s and don’ts.  

Curriculum convention is important to move the curriculum forward. Assessment are meant for learning. Assignment as part of assessment need to be considered as part of some reading process, further building upon it, adding on more of creativity makes the learning process a very effective one. Test for every 10 to 15 hours of topic, surprise tests, puzzles and quiz can add as a proportion of learning and assessment. Interactive sessions, revision classes, tie-up of bright students with average students, brainstorming question answer sessions by students and small group discussion help the learners learn better. Collaborative learning in the clinical area with the clinical staffs and interpersonal relationship with the hospital colleagues are considered as vital and pragmatically integrated with theory and practical learning says Dr. Selva Titus Chacko.  

Dr. Tejinder Singh opined that assessment is diagnosing the issues, providing and monitoring the remedial actions. Performance should be assessed, measured, compared with standards, and deviation if any, should be identified and necessary steps need to be taken to provide appropriate remedial measures. He also said that a good assessment system should be relevant to the curriculum, focus on skill development, promote learning of skills, spell level of students and discriminate between good and poor students. Session concluded with a note of thanks by Mrs. Sushmitha Karkada, Assistant Professor and Convenor of the program.