Embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) in assessment practice

Ensure your assessments are valid, fair and reliable for all

Embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) in assessment practice is a new on-demand, online course that will support you to develop and apply strategies for truly inclusive and valid assessment design.

Through engaging activities and practical frameworks, you will delve into how EDIB principles apply to your unique context and develop strategies to enhance your learner's experience of assessment.

The course has been authored by a range of key Cambridge stakeholders and has been supported by EDIB experts Professor Sally Everett (King’s College, London) and Dr Rebecca Conway (NCFE).

Enrol before 1 February for our early bird price of £150 (Incl. VAT).

Book now

What our course authors say

Image of man in decorative Cambridge shield

Universal design for assessment

Our new course provides a space for participants to explore key issues relating to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) and how they relate to assessment practice and design. This course helps assessment practitioners explore the complexity of inclusion within assessment, and looks at how a 'Universal Design for Assessment' approach can help ensure all students have a fair and equitable chance to succeed within our own contexts.

James Beadle, Senior Professional Development Manager, The Assessment Network

Practical examples

Drawing on practical examples and reflective exercises, this course encourages educational practitioners to evaluate their positionality and in turn, helps us all embrace culturally sustaining pedagogical tools that build students' confidence and their sense of belonging. Ensuring that students feel seen, valued and are given opportunities to succeed in our assessment practices is essential if we are to foster more inclusive, equitable and fair pedagogic practices within our educational systems.

Professor Sally Everett, Vice Dean, Education, King's College, London

Understand your learners

As practitioners conducting assessments, we need to make sure that we collect the right evidence about student's progress and achievements. That is why an in-depth course in EDIB in assessment is so important. It is more than just making sure different groups are represented in assessment materials. It is also about understanding the practical and technical factors that influence how learners interact with their assessments. This course is full of ideas to help you truly understand your learners.

Dr Simon Child, Head of Assessment Training, The Assessment Network

About the course

Online | On-demand | Fee: £150 (Incl. VAT)

'EDIB' (sometimes known as Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) or Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is an important concept to consider when working in assessment.

In this on-demand course, you'll explore a learner-led environment that will provide you with the opportunity to reflect and identify how your own position and biases might impact your approach to assessment.

Course features

  • 16 hours of learner-led study with a range of practical activities, including interactive quizzes and frameworks for individual reflection
  • The course invites you to explore EDIB principles within your own context, providing an opportunity to reflect on and apply them to your specific setting
  • The modules are designed to be compatible with accessibility tools, ensuring the best possible experience for all learners
  • Global access, with no fixed location or time zone requirements
  • Certification upon completion of all course modules
  • Embedding equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) in assessment practice is scalable to organisational-wide application with discounts on request.

What you will learn

After completing this course you will be able to:

  • Explain the importance of EDIB in relation to assessment principles of reliability, validity, and fairness
  • Explain the differences between equity, equality, accessibility, and inclusion in assessment
  • Identify how your own positionality and bias may impact your assessment practice
  • Explore EDIB legislation and regulations in your context
  • Develop and apply strategies for inclusive assessment design.

Who is this course for?

This online course is aimed at anyone working in assessment who wants to develop and apply strategies for inclusive assessment design. It explores how we can adopt a universal design approach for assessment, fostering equity and justice within our educational and assessment systems. By critically examining how assessment has often been shaped by social and cultural factors, we can look at how we can adapt and change these to meet the needs of a diverse, intersectional society.

Course modules

Module 1: An introduction to EDIB and assessment literacy

  • Key terms
  • Importance of EDIB in creating valid assessments
  • Construct-irrelevant variance and construct underrepresentation
  • EDIB, reliability and fairness
  • Considering context
  • Legal and regulatory frameworks

Module 2: Equity and justice in assessment

  • The need for equity and justice
  • Positionality and stereotype threat
  • The potential for unconscious bias
  • Diversity, decolonisation and social justice
  • The importance of decolonisation

Module 3: Belonging and inclusivity

  • The importance of belonging in assessment
  • From belonging to mattering
  • Accessibility and inclusion
  • Universal Design for Learning and Universal Design for Assessment

Module 4: Creating assessments in diverse, intersectional societies

  • Potential bias in your context
  • Case study: Apprenticeships
  • Embedding EDIB in your assessment strategy
  • Modes of assessment and inclusivity
  • Making reasonable adjustments
  • Creating more inclusive and accessible assessments
  • Producing guidance to support clearer and more accessible assessments
  • Enhancing assessments through accessibility reviews

FAQs

What does EDIB mean?

We define EDIB as Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. These principles aim to create a fair, accessible, and inclusive environment that values and respects diverse learners.

What is the Cambridge position on EDIB?

We oppose discrimination and act inclusively for all people, irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, religion, belief, disability, or age. We want everyone to feel welcome at Cambridge.

We will help widen access to education as we innovate to remove barriers and enhance support. We will enable millions more people to reimagine and realise their futures. We are embedding inclusion principles in our people, product, and operational strategies, each tailored to reflect local cultures, priorities, and needs.

We are strengthening governance to ensure we are consistent in how we apply our policies and creating an ethical framework to inform our approach.

Read more about the Cambridge position.

How long will I have access to the course for?

Access will be provided for five months from enrolment.

What is the duration of the course?

We recommend completing it over eight weeks, taking two weeks per module, but you will have access for five months in case you need longer to complete.

What does 'learner-led' mean?

'Learner-led' means the course emphasises personal reflection and encourages participants to apply the content to their own experiences and contexts. This approach ensures practical and meaningful application of EDIB principles for a global audience.

Can I access the course using a mobile or tablet?

Yes, although we recommend using a laptop or computer to make sure you have no difficulty accessing the course. The recommended internet browser is Google Chrome.

The learning website is responsive and will adapt to your screen size, either due to the size of your device or depending on how far you zoom in or out.

Will I receive a certificate upon completion?

Yes, participants who complete all course modules will receive a certificate of completion.

Looking for an organisation wide solution?

If you want to focus on a particular area of assessment, we can develop in-person training, online training, or a hybrid course to match your staff development goals.

Find out more

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