Assessing students' written work: experience of a student practice lecturer in the UK

Assessment is one of the most important tools in teaching and learning in any academic institution, but it is rarely measured in effort, time and effectiveness. As a student practice lecturer, I faced many challenges as well as learning opportunities while working in higher education in the UK. In this paper, I explore some of the important concepts and issues to be considered while assessing or marking students’ written work – academic essays and reports – by reflecting on my own experience of learning at a UK university. This paper concludes that providing appropriate advice and guidance, i.e. feedback, would help students develop strategies for improving their learning and performance.