Unit 1 – Assessment 3: 1.

a) Evaluate the importance of planning and preparing internal

b) Explain what an internal quality assurance plan should contain.

c)Summarise the preparations that need to be made for internal

• information collection

• communications

• administrative arrangements

• resources

2.1
Planning the internal quality assurance process is crucial to ensure a successful internal
verification procedure. The Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) must execute specific activities
before the internal verification takes place. These activities should encompass various tasks,
including sampling learners' evidence. It is important to ensure that the collected samples
accurately reflect the diverse performance levels within the grade category. Additionally,
sampling the assessor's assessment sheets and feedback is essential for comparison against
the gathered evidence of learners' work. This step aims to confirm the consistency of the
assessor's judgments with predetermined criteria and ascertain that the feedback provided is
both constructive and guiding, assisting learners in identifying areas for improvement.

One of the pivotal pre-verification activities involves conducting observation sessions for
trainers and assessors. These sessions hold significant importance in enhancing the skills of
trainers and assessors. They serve the purpose of verifying adherence to the course
specifications, assessment criteria, and the policies and standards set by the educational
institution.

Furthermore, the IQA employs the practice of planning standardized training sessions. This
proactive measure contributes significantly to streamlining the teaching process. By planning
professional development sessions, trainers can assess their own mastery of the subject
matter. This approach also aids in the more effective organization of training sessions by
providing insight into the types of activities, assignments, and appropriate break periods for
learners during lessons.

Lastly, undertaking training and continuing professional development (CPD) activities with
staff members is a critical aspect. These CPD sessions play a pivotal role in keeping trainers
updated with the latest materials, topics, and teaching practices. This not only ensures that
teaching sessions remain current but also provides a sense of professional direction,
contributing to a higher standard of education delivery.
2.2
In order to orchestrate a successful internal verification session, the assurer must ensure the
existence of a well-defined plan that outlines the verification process. Additionally, the
assurer should acquaint themselves with the policies of the certificate awarding body and
ensure their availability for reference.

The IQA plan should encompass several key elements. Firstly, it should delineate all the
activities that will occur during the verification process. Moreover, it needs to specify the
roles and participation of trainers, assessors, and administration staff in the verification
process. The dates and timings of the verification process should be prominently featured in
the IQA plan. Furthermore, the plan should identify any potential risks that could arise during
the verification process and propose strategies for mitigating these risks.

To formulate a comprehensive IQA plan, it is imperative to gather professional CVs for all
trainers and assessors who will be participating in the verification process. Moreover, it is a
requirement to ensure that the IQA plan incorporates all the requisites, policies, and
procedures stipulated by the qualification provider. This holistic approach guarantees a well-
structured and effective internal verification session.

To ensure a smooth verification process, each awarding body should establish a system that
assists the Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) in effectively monitoring the verification process.
This system needs to facilitate a seamless, active, and efficient strategy for collecting samples
of learners' outcomes. The sampling strategy should also encompass the requisite
administrative documents (such as learners' assessment records, declarations, internal
verification decisions), with all documents being appropriately signed by learners, assessors,
and internal verifiers. This documentation ensures the comprehensive recording of the entire
internal verification process, making it available for External Quality Assurance (EQA)
visits.

It is crucial to recall that one of the primary objectives of the internal verification process is
to ensure the uniformity of assessment across all tutors and assessors. To achieve this, the
internal quality assurance strategy should include the following components:

Sampling of Assignment Briefs and Assessments: Assignment briefs and assessment forms
used to evaluate learners' performance should be sampled. These documents need to be
compared against the learning outcomes and performance criteria stipulated by the relevant
qualifications' units. This comparison serves to confirm that assessment documents
encompass all required learning outcomes and criteria. Additionally, it ensures that
assignment briefs are crafted in a manner that caters to learners of varying performance
levels, allowing all learners to respond effectively to the assignment requirements. In cases
where there are diverse versions of assignment briefs for the same unit, it is imperative to
sample assignments from different assessors and trainers. This action guarantees alignment
with course specifications and the inclusion of all learning outcomes, thus creating
assignments that are learner-friendly.

Assessment Methods: The IQA must review assessment documents to verify that assessors
are utilizing a diverse range of assessment methods. These methods need to be relevant to the
assessed skills or competencies specified by the targeted units. The assessment methods can
encompass a variety of options such as tests, writing tasks, observations, questions, witness
testimonies, simulations, and more.

Sample Authenticity: The authenticity of the sampled evidence should be confirmed to ensure
that all samples have been genuinely produced by the learners.

Assessment Adequacy: The IQA needs to ascertain that assessments are tailored to allow
each learner to achieve their full potential. Furthermore, assessments must incorporate
updated evidence, and the number of required evidence pieces should suffice to fulfill the
learning outcomes' requirements.

2.3
Sampling can take various forms, including formative or summative approaches, and it can
be carried out randomly or through selection. Formative sampling is continuous throughout
the qualification period, allowing ongoing judgment and verification of evidence against
qualification requirements. This helps in detecting and addressing errors promptly.
Summative sampling, on the other hand, occurs at the qualification's conclusion when all
learners have submitted evidence and received judgments.

Sampling methods can vary and include:

On-site assessment within the classroom, with possible use of video evidence when physical
attendance poses challenges.
Assignments directly connected to the evaluation system or using hard copies.
Examination of work.
Questioning sessions to examine evidence, recorded in the portfolio.
Remote methods, using technologies like Skype, cameras, recorders, tablets, smartphones, or
virtual learning environments (VLEs) and e-portfolios in conjunction with virtual evaluation
tools. These are especially useful for distance assessment.
Sampling can be based on a percentage determined by the awarding organization ( Within
ATHS schools, a stipulated requirement mandates that 10% of learner evidence is to be
provided for IQA review), or could entail the assessment of 100% of learners' work,
depending on specific circumstances, previous issues with the center, or the presence of new
certified assessors.

References:
 YouTube. (2023). 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. YouTube. Retrieved September 1, 2023,
1.

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxcrqOhULpA.

2. Gravells, A. (n.d.). Quality assurance - internal (IQA) Ann Gravells. Ann Gravells.
https://www.anngravells.com/information/iqa
3. Guidelines for trainers, assessors, iqas and eqas - actvet.gov.ae. ACTVET.gov.ae. (n.d.).
https://www.actvet.gov.ae/en/Media/Lists/ELibraryLD/VETAC%20SYSTEM%20OF%20QUALIFIED
%20ASSESSORS%20INTERNAL%20VERIFIERS%20AND%20EXTERNAL%20VERIFIERS.pdf
4. GUIDANCE ON INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE OF QUALIFICATIONS City & Guilds.
https://www.cityandguilds.com. (n.d.).
https://www.cityandguilds.com/-/media/cityandguilds-site/documents/what-we-offer/centres/centre-
document-library/guidance-on-internal-quality-assurance-of-qualifications-pdf.ashx?
la=en&hash=C09CBBCB22B3D4FF1416F579CEF8F63F6D4C51E3
5. YouTube. (2022). Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance - Contents of an IQA
Plan.YouTube. Retrieved September 2, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLG5fRFNLdE.
6. Internal-Quality-Assurance-Process.pdf. Gateway Qualifications. (2023, June 13).
https://www.gatewayqualifications.org.uk/
7. CTC Training. (2021, July 16). What is contained in an IQA plan?
https://ctccourses.org/help-advice/what-is-contained-in-an-iqa-plan/
8. Paul Cook -, P. (2021, September 16). The IQA (internal quality assurance) process. LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/iqa-internal-quality-assurance-process-paul-cook-/