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Authentic Assessment, Adult Learning and Meaningful Curriculum Design: Reflections on Apprenticeship Development and Teaching Practice on a Criminology, Investigation and Policing Programme

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Title: Authentic Assessment, Adult Learning and Meaningful Curriculum Design: Reflections on Apprenticeship Development and Teaching Practice on a Criminology, Investigation and Policing Programme
Language: English
Authors: Tony Blockley (ORCID 0009-0004-4877-5312), Gary Curnow, Sean Walton (ORCID 0000-0002-0645-894X)
Source: Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning. 2026 16(1):131-151.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Performance Based Assessment, Adult Learning, Curriculum Design, Apprenticeships, Criminology, Police Education, Work Based Learning, Foreign Countries, College Programs, Program Design, Program Development
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
DOI: 10.1108/HESWBL-07-2024-0210
ISSN: 2042-3896
Abstract: Purpose: This paper explores how authentic assessment and adult learning principles can shape meaningful curriculum design within higher education criminology and policing programmes. It reflects on how degree apprenticeship development has influenced pedagogy and professional learning for adult learners. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a reflective practitioner and autoethnographic approach, the paper draws on the author's experience of designing and delivering a work-integrated policing degree apprenticeship. Analysis of curriculum documents, feedback and professional reflections illustrates how assessment practices connect theory with operational realities. As no participant data were collected, the study did not require formal ethical approval and complies with Leeds Trinity University's Research Ethics Policy and BERA (2018) guidelines. Findings: Authentic assessment promotes engagement, critical reflection and professional identity formation. Integrating workplace challenges within academic study enhances adaptive expertise and supports evidence-based decision-making while highlighting the importance of flexibility and recognition of practitioner knowledge. Research limitations/implications: As a single-institution reflective study, findings are context-specific. Broader, multi-institutional research would extend and test this framework further. Practical implications: The paper provides practical guidance for embedding authentic assessment in programmes for work-based learners and demonstrates how collaboration between universities and employers can ensure curricula remain academically robust and professionally relevant. Social implications: Embedding authentic assessment fosters ethical, accountable policing by preparing officers to reflect, adapt and engage meaningfully with diverse communities. Originality/value: This study offers a reflective, evidence-informed model for curriculum design that aligns academic learning with professional practice. It illustrates how authentic assessment can transform learning for adult and professional learners by creating purposeful connections between higher education and workplace contexts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501309
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Authentic Assessment, Adult Learning and Meaningful Curriculum Design: Reflections on Apprenticeship Development and Teaching Practice on a Criminology, Investigation and Policing Programme
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tony+Blockley%22">Tony Blockley</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4877-5312">0009-0004-4877-5312</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gary+Curnow%22">Gary Curnow</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sean+Walton%22">Sean Walton</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0645-894X">0000-0002-0645-894X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Higher+Education%2C+Skills+and+Work-based+Learning%22"><i>Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning</i></searchLink>. 2026 16(1):131-151.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: 21
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Performance+Based+Assessment%22">Performance Based Assessment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Learning%22">Adult Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Design%22">Curriculum Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Apprenticeships%22">Apprenticeships</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Criminology%22">Criminology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Police+Education%22">Police Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Work+Based+Learning%22">Work Based Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Programs%22">College Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Design%22">Program Design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Development%22">Program Development</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28England%29%22">United Kingdom (England)</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
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  Data: 10.1108/HESWBL-07-2024-0210
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 2042-3896
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This paper explores how authentic assessment and adult learning principles can shape meaningful curriculum design within higher education criminology and policing programmes. It reflects on how degree apprenticeship development has influenced pedagogy and professional learning for adult learners. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a reflective practitioner and autoethnographic approach, the paper draws on the author's experience of designing and delivering a work-integrated policing degree apprenticeship. Analysis of curriculum documents, feedback and professional reflections illustrates how assessment practices connect theory with operational realities. As no participant data were collected, the study did not require formal ethical approval and complies with Leeds Trinity University's Research Ethics Policy and BERA (2018) guidelines. Findings: Authentic assessment promotes engagement, critical reflection and professional identity formation. Integrating workplace challenges within academic study enhances adaptive expertise and supports evidence-based decision-making while highlighting the importance of flexibility and recognition of practitioner knowledge. Research limitations/implications: As a single-institution reflective study, findings are context-specific. Broader, multi-institutional research would extend and test this framework further. Practical implications: The paper provides practical guidance for embedding authentic assessment in programmes for work-based learners and demonstrates how collaboration between universities and employers can ensure curricula remain academically robust and professionally relevant. Social implications: Embedding authentic assessment fosters ethical, accountable policing by preparing officers to reflect, adapt and engage meaningfully with diverse communities. Originality/value: This study offers a reflective, evidence-informed model for curriculum design that aligns academic learning with professional practice. It illustrates how authentic assessment can transform learning for adult and professional learners by creating purposeful connections between higher education and workplace contexts.
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  Data: EJ1501309
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        Value: 10.1108/HESWBL-07-2024-0210
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Performance Based Assessment
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      – SubjectFull: Adult Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Design
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      – SubjectFull: Apprenticeships
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