MSc Assessment

1. MSc Assessment “Assessment is defined as the measurement of achievement of progress towards meeting defined educational objectives.” (Hays 2006) RVC INSET Day 6thJanuary 2012 Dr Ayona Silva-Fletcher Course Director MSc Veterinary Education

2. The plan …… Start with a few slides to give the background (15 m) Identify some key issues (10 m) Group Discussion on key issues (15 min) Developing an action plan (20 min)

3. Descriptor for a higher education qualification at level 7: Master's degree • Master's degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated: • a systematicunderstanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice • a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship

4. originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline • conceptual understanding that enables the student: • - to evaluate critically current research and • advanced scholarship in the discipline • - to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques • of them and, where appropriate, to propose • new hypotheses. • QAA 2008

5. BSc MSc Knowledge of key aspects Systematic understanding, critical awareness of current problems Knowledge Deploy established techniques Comprehensive understanding of techniques Techniques Devise arguments, solve problems using current ideas/techniques Originality in application of knowledge, use of techniques in creating/interpreting data Application What distinguishes BSc & MSc graduates? Source: UK National Qualifications Framework 2010

6. Masters Provision at the RVC EXIT POINT EXIT POINT

7. Masters Provision at the RVC • MSc/PG Dip Control of Infectious Diseases in Animals • MSc Veterinary Epidemiology • MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert Wild Animal Biology and MSc Wild Animal Health • MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert Livestock Health & Production (distance learning) • MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert Veterinary Epidemiology & Public Health (distance learning) • Masters in Research • Masters in Veterinary Medicine • MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert in Veterinary Education

8. Different delivery modes for different target groups Young graduates mid-career professionals with experience Late-career professionals with experience

9. Delivery modes, length and duration Face-to-face/ full-time/one calendar year - MSc Epi, MSc WAH/WAB, MSc CIDA Face-to-face/ part-time/ 2-5 calendar years - MSc CIDA Work place based Face-to-face/ part-time/ 2-5 calendar years - MSc Vet Ed, M VetMed Distance learning ONLY MSc in Livestock Health and Production MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health

10. Types of Assessment

11. Open Book Exams Individual and group presentations Critical analysis of papers Teaching observations Reflective essays Essays Developing teaching and presentation Research papers Written Exams Grant Applications Literature Reviews Oral exams

12. MSc Veterinary Epidemiology Summative Assessment • In-course assessments (41.66%) (average of 5 assessments in Terms 2 & 3) • Written examination (33.33%)   -- paper 1 about Term 1 material -- paper 2 about anything relevant • Research project (25%) -- written report (worth 90% of project grade) -- oral examination (worth 10% of project grade)

13. MSc Wild Animal Biology & MSc Wild Animal Health Summative Assessment • 8 Modules (66.6%) - in-course assessment 25% - exams 75% • Research (33.3%) • Grant application 5% • Scientific paper 25% • Oral Defence 3.3%

14. MSc CIDA – Assessments Summative Assessment • 6 Modules – examined by Open Book Exam at end of each module • In Course Assessments – varies depending on module but may include individual or group presentation, essay, choice of media for dissemination of information (eg video, newsletter, powerpoint) • Project – report written as scientific paper and an oral (5%) 6 modules - 50% Research component 50%

15. MSc in Livestock Health and Production/ MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health (Distance Learning) • Summative Assessment • 7 modules (86%) • - examination 80% • - course work 20% • Research project (optional) (14%) • - research paper 80% • - oral 20% • Overall MSc (for 7 modules including research) • - Exams 69% • - Course work 17% • - Research project 11% • - Oral 3%

16. MSc In Veterinary Education • Summative Assessment • 7 modules (75%) • - in course assessments 70% • - exams 30% • Research (25%) • Scientific paper 65% • Literature review 25% • Oral Defence 15%

17. ASSESSMENT AND AWARD REGULATIONS http://intranet.rvc.ac.uk/StudentsAndTeaching/MarkingSchemes.cfm

18. Issues: • Constructive alignment of learning outcomes to assessment • -involvement of teaching staff in the selection of the • material that goes into assessments • - closer coordination of assessments with course • outcomes • - assessing problem solving abilities

19. Feedback http://learn.rvc.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=422&chapterid=379 http://www.youtube.com/user/sgulcso#p/u/41/PRIlnUAKwDY

20. ISSUES….. •     Maintaining quality, consistency and standards•         Proposals and procedures for re-sits•         New marking scheme!  •         Plagiarism•         Setting questions for MSc level•         Double marking and giving feedback (how to give • joined-up single feedback) •         Giving feedback for formative and summative • assignments • • How to ensure that the research project is appropriate•         Giving feedback to distance learners•         Contribution of project to overall marks•         Marking oral presentations • • the necessity {or not} for 'training‘ those outside the College in setting/supervision and marking of projects • • How to release marks at end of modules