Interactive Oral Assessments: Designing, Implementing and Reflecting

Are you planning to run an Interactive Oral Assessment (IOA) or thinking about adding one to your course? Join us for a practical and insightful workshop designed to help you confidently design, implement, and evaluate IOAs in your course.

IOAs are unscripted, two-way conversations between an assessor and student(s), guided by semi-structured questions and prompts. These assessments may be linked to authentic workplace scenarios or student-created artefacts (e.g. reports, designs, codes), or they may stand alone such as in simulated interviews, case briefings, or client interactions. IOAs can foster an environment where students feel supported to articulate their reasoning, explore connections, and demonstrate depth of understanding.

What to expect?
Part A - Designing and Implementing IOAs
Learn how to plan and deliver IOAs, including:
• pedagogical foundations - Why choose IOAs?
• design principles - Designing questions, planning criteria, creating marking rubrics and moderation practices
• feedback strategies - How to plan for meaningful, timely feedback for students
• logistics - Manage scheduling, technology, and clear student instructions.

Part B - Reflecting on IOAs
Hear from a panel of academic staff who have successfully implemented IOAs in their courses. They will share:
• what worked well and what didn’t
• lessons learned and practical tips
• insights they wish they had before starting.

Note: While this session is focussed on IOAs, many of the principles and strategies we will cover are transferable to other forms of oral assessments.