What is a Moderator?

A Moderator’s purpose is to ensure that assessments have been conducted in an appropriate, valid, fair, and sufficient way according to measurable outcomes. A Moderator basically assesses the Assessor to ensure that he/she is competent and that the assessment process is up to standard. As a qualified Moderator, you can be employed by a training institution to be an internal Moderator or you can stay independent and become an external Moderator and offer your services as needed. 

Purpose of the Course

When you complete this course you will be able to moderate assessments according to the relevant outcome statements and quality assurance requirements. As a Moderator, you will be able to use the prescribed Quality Assurance procedures in a fair, valid, reliable and practicable manner that is free of any bias and discrimination.

On completion of the Moderator course you will be able to perform the following functions:

• Demonstrate understanding of moderation – You will learn how moderation contributes to quality-assured assessment and recognised systems within the context of the National Quality Framework (NQF). Various methods of moderation are discussed and their strengths and weaknesses are outlined, as well as how they verify the fairness and appropriateness of assessment methods and activities used by Assessors.
• Plan and prepare for moderation – The planning and preparation for moderation activities need to be aligned with moderation system requirements. The scope of moderation needs to be confirmed with all parties involved. As a Moderator you need to plan the moderation process to ensure that the process is manageable, to ensure that sufficient evidence will be produced and that a fair judgment will be passed. Arrangements for physical, human, and logistical resources need to be kept in mind.
• Conduct moderation – As a Moderator, you need to ensure that your moderation process addresses the design of the assessment, the activities before, during, and after the assessment as well as the assessment documentation. You will need to ensure that the special needs of learners have been met without compromising the requirements set in the assessment outcomes. You will also learn how to handle appeals against Assessor decisions which is an important function of a Moderator.
• Advice and support assessors – As a Moderator, you need to learn that the nature and quality of advice you give assessors will facilitate a common understanding of any issues related to their assessments and will promote assessments in accordance with good assessment principles. A Moderator’s support will contribute to Assessor development but has to be conducted in a confidential manner.
• Report, record, and administer moderation – Moderation needs to be reported to all relevant stakeholders within the agreed-upon time-frames. These records must be maintained according to organisational and ETQA requirements. 
• Review moderation systems and processes – The strengths and weaknesses of moderation systems and processes are identified and how they affect the judgement of assessment decisions. All moderation recommendations and reviews contribute towards the improvement of the moderation processes enhancing the credibility and integrity of the recognition system.

How will this course benefit your Professional Development?

As a qualified Moderator in your area of expertise, you will be sought after in order to moderate Assessors. Larger training institutions employ Moderators full-time and smaller training institutions often opt to make use of private external Moderators as a cost-saving initiative. Even the bigger companies sometimes make use of external Moderators. Depending on the SETA and the experience of the Assessor you will be required to moderate between 50-100% of the assessments marked by an Assessor.

By completing this course you will become a professional and sought after individual in the training environment depending on your educational background. You will play an extremely important role in both the training institution you are involved with as well as the SETA/s you are registered with.

Please note that you can be both a qualified Assessor and Moderator; however, you cannot moderate your own assessments!

What happens after I have completed the Moderator Course?

On completion of the course, you will be uploaded against Unit Standard 11759 with the ETDP SETA. Following this, you will be a qualified Moderator and will be able to moderate Assessors as per your area of expertise. You will have to register as a Moderator with the relevant SETAs based on your areas of expertise.

As a Moderator, you have reached the top of the teaching pyramid however there is still a lot of vertical growth with courses like Design and Develop Assessments, Design and Develop Learning Programmes, Skills Development Facilitator, etc. Access Professional Development will have these courses available soon!

By completing the Moderator course with Access Professional Development we will assist you with your Moderator registrations with up to 3 SETAs FREE OF CHARGE!