Assessment in Coach Education: A Disjointed Piece of the Curriculum Puzzle?

By Noel Dempsey, Reece Chapman, Colum Cronin

Abstract

Assessment is part of a complex and negotiated process of curriculum design and delivery. This chapter demonstrates how curriculum content and pedagogical processes should, but do not always, align with assessment. From this position, assessment should not be viewed in isolation. Rather, this chapter argues that assessment in coach education should be a coherent part of an authentic learning experience that helps coaches in their context. Developing such coherent curricula is difficult; however, as within any education system there will be competing interests and differing perspectives amongst policy makers, course designers, and educators. Therefore, researchers, policy makers, or course designers need to consider and share how they and other stakeholders view learning. Doing so explicitly may help reconcile assessment with content and pedagogical processes. In sum, this chapter helps readers navigate and appreciate assessment as part of a broader and often conflicting system of curriculum design.