Learning-outcomes-based assessments at universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands: perceptions of business lecturers

Abstract

About ten years ago, concerns were expressed about quality and standards in some universities of applied sciences (UAS) in the Netherlands. In response, a HBO report outlined a series of measures to improve the quality of assessment practices in UAS. This study provides recent analysis of lecturer perceptions of assessments of UAS with a view to exploring how these recommendations have become embedded in the assessment cultures of UAS. The qualitative study with 19 participants teaching at ten different UAS, reveals strong evidence of a staff knowledge gap around outcomes-based assessment.

Keywords:

• Assessment
• quality assurance
• quality enhancement
• universities of applied sciences
• learning-outcomes-based assessment
• business lecturers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).