Moderator Training

Purpose

The purpose of this programme is to build the capacity of public service moderators to challenge existing training and development paradigms and conduct moderation of assessments that are outcomes based and contextualised for the public service and linked to the relevant Education, Training and Development Quality Management System (ETD QMS). In addition, the moderation processes and procedures will take into account the transformation agenda of the public service.

Target Group

Target beneficiaries for this programme are public service staff and inter-governmental partners who are/will be responsible for moderating and quality assuring outcomes based assessments within the public service.

Minimum Requirements for Enrolment

It is assumed that learners enrolling for this programme have:

• previous assessment experience;
• recognition for US 115753: “Conduct outcomes-based assessments” ;
• evaluative expertise within the field in which they are moderating assessments.

In preparation for the programme learners are required to complete the following actions, prior to attendance of the programme.

Action 1: Essential Reading:  Learners are required to read through the Pre-attendance Reading and Activity Guide which will be sent (e-mailed) to accepted learners two (2) weeks prior to the commencement of the programme.

Action 2: Pre-attendance Activity: Learners are required to complete the Pre-attendance Activity as part of their preparation for the programme. The Pre-attendance Activity forms part of the Pre-Attendance Reading and Activity Guide. A Resource CD which contains additional readings and the Assessment Guide will be distributed on the first day of the contact session.

NOTE: Learners must notify their supervisor/manager in order for him/her to support them on this journey. In so doing they will be able to successfully complete this programme and take the learning back to their workplace. To this end the availability of time, resources and an enabling environment will benefit both learners and their department.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Describe the approach to education, training and development in South Africa;
• Explain the outcomes based assessment approach in use in South Africa;
• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of moderation within the outcomes based assessment perspective;
• Plan for a forthcoming moderation and Prepare for the moderation;
• Conduct routine moderation in order to ensure that the Principles of Assessment have been upheld;
• Conduct a moderation prior to an assessment intervention;
• Conduct moderation in special circumstances;
• Advise and guide assessors regarding assessments completed;
• Provide information and advice to assessors;
• Support assessors in their assessment interventions;
• Report all moderation findings to the relevant roleplayers;
• Maintain all moderation records;
• Review the moderation system; and
• Make recommendations for improvements to the moderation system.

Accreditation

This is a credit-bearing course aligned to the SAQA Unit Standard indicated in the table below. After successful completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Competence.

Assessment Approach

The course follows an integrated assessment approach, comprising:

• Formative Assessment Activities;
• Practical work-based assignment – The work-based assignment constitutes a number of workplace activities, which will allow the participant to apply knowledge and skills gained in the workplace; and
• Summative Assessment: The work-based assignment should be packaged in the form of a Portfolio of Evidence. A qualified assessor will assess the Portfolio of Evidence. The Portfolio of Evidence will then be verified by an internal and external moderator. Participants have eight (8) weeks to complete the workplace assignment and submit a Portfolio of Evidence.

Duration

This course is presented over three (3) working days.