Education and Training in Conservation

Trends in the management of education and demands from students for clarity in assessment resulted in the grading of course work being extensively articulated and described. Students rightly expect to know what they will be marked on and what constitutes work of an appropriate level. This can lead to the disarticulation of a topic into tiny graded fragments that no longer equate to a ‘whole’ professional experience. This paper looks at changes to the assessment of practical conservation in Cardiff University that attempt to offer an assessment of conservation as a complete professional activity whilst respecting the student and administrative demands for clarity and accountability. Balancing accountable assessment with holistic professional practice