Learning Autonomy in Post-16 Education : The Policy and Practice of Formative Assessment

Kathryn Ecclestone's work addresses the thorny issue of assessment in post-compulsory education - lifelong learning.

She asks if people are expected to learn on and off throughout their lives, how do we go about assessing this learning in a way that is meaningful for the learner and for the workplace?

How does formal assessment fit in with notions of learner autonomy?

She focuses on outcomes-based assessment as the answer to these questions, as this frees learners from the need to follow programmes imposed by institutions or teachers.