This week we caught up with Julie, one of our TAFE Assessors to discuss what an Assessor does and how she helps students reach their study goals.
What do you do in this role?
An Assessor is similar to a teacher, in that we mark a student’s assignments, provide feedback and give them examples to help them improve their submissions in the future. A large part of my role is providing students with real world examples to help them understand how their learning could be applied in a work setting.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I have over 20 years experience in education and training, and to this day the thing I enjoy most is watching the students’ progress. As a teacher, trainer or Assessor it’s our job to help students develop critical skills to broaden their skills and knowledge base. Gaining a diploma can open up new pathways within their chosen career. Hearing from past students who are pursuing their career goals, or helping current students to learn new skills they can use in their workplace, is really rewarding.
What is one tip you can give to students when they are planning to undertake an assessment?
Proofread your work. It’s really important to give yourself time to put your work ‘in a drawer’ for a few hours or a day and then come back with fresh eyes and catch any mistakes you might have made. Pay close attention to things like sentence structure, spelling and grammar. Also use this time to make sure you have given clear examples to clarify what you mean in your answers.
What is one thing you wish the students knew about your role?
I think it’s very important for the students to remember that while we are assessing your work, our goal is to help you improve and complete your course.
My feedback is aimed at helping you do the best you can. When you receive your submission back take a few moments to read through the comments carefully. Look at the suggestions or improvements that your Assessor offers and think about how you could apply them to your next task or submission.
