The 2011 e-assessment question conference The impact of innovation on regulation and of regulation on innovation Julie Swan 31 March 2011
The 2011 e-assessment questionconference
The impact of innovation on regulation and of regulation on innovation
Julie Swan31 March 2011
Overview
Ofqual
Innovation and regulation
A new approach to regulation
Challenges of e-assessment
Ofqual’s principles and e-assessment
Ofqual
Statutory independent regulator
Why regulate?
Ofqual’s statutory objectives include: – Qualifications standards– Public confidence– Efficiency
Many statutory duties
Including duty to have regard to:– the desirability of facilitating innovation in connection with
the provision of regulated qualifications
Regulation and innovation
BERR Economics paper – Regulation and innovation: evidence and policy implications, December 2008
BERR findings
‘The relationship between regulation and innovation is complex, multi-dimensional, ambiguous and dynamic’
Types of innovation
Product innovation
Process innovation
Marketing innovation
Organisational innovation
Intervention through the regulatory framework
Introduction of new regulations
Revisions to current regulations
Removal of existing regulations
Prescriptive vs outcome-based regulation
Prescriptive approach to regulation - sets out how businesses must behave to achieve the required outcomes of regulation
Outcomes based regulation – only stipulates the desired outcome, not how businesses should achieve it
Prescriptive approach
Limits flexibility
May therefore limit innovation
But may also offer certainty – which might encourage innovation
Outcomes-based regulation
Offers greater flexibility and freedom
Therefore more scope for innovation
But businesses might be discouraged from innovating because of risk of non-compliance
Other factors
Too little time to respond to regulatory requirements can inhibit ability to innovate
Money spent on compliance instead of innovation
Policy certainty – too much certainty can result in only minimum compliance
Excessive uncertainty - can cause inaction
BERR advice
Favour regulatory approaches that are:– outcomes-focused– technology neutral
– As these give greater freedom to innovate
Regulating awarding organisations and qualifications
Ofqual is introducing a more strategic approach to regulation
More outcomes and less rules-based
Undertaking a stock-take on drivers and inhibiters of innovation
Challenge
How to facilitate innovation AND secure consistency of standards, public confidence in qualifications and efficiency
Pen and paper must go, says Ofqual Head – TES headline, Feb 2011
Will traditional written exams be invalid for ‘digitally native’ pupils?
Interesting responses……
Ofqual’s principles
The interests of learners are paramount
Fitness for purpose is key to quality
Each awarding organisation is responsible for its qualifications
Ofqual’s principles and e-assessment
Content and potential for progression must be clear
There must be a consistent approach to standards for all qualifications
Qualifications must offer value for money
We must learn lessons from the past
Summary
A new regulatory approach
Will it facilitate innovation?
Must secure qualification standards, public confidence and efficiency
Will innovation help meet Ofqual’s principles?