Assessment defines what students regard as important, how they spend their time and how they come to see themselves; it is a necessary part of helping them to learn. This text provides background research on assessment which will assist lecturers in refreshing their approach to assessing student learning. It explores both conventional and less widely used approaches to assessment. Containing chapters on IT, the role of external examiners and the introduction of different forms of assessment, and offering guidelines, suggestions, examples of practice and activities, this book will become a springboard for more active learning.