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Explore the role of assessment, benefits of using a learning management system, and evaluation of a new marking process via self-assessment. Discover how technology can incorporate marking criteria and improve student satisfaction. Future opportunities and findings are also discussed.
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Assignment Marking via Online Self Assess Margot Schuhmacher, Lecturer Higher Education Development Unit, Centre for Learning and Teaching Support, Monash University Robert Redpath, Lecturer School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
Overview • The Role of Assessment • The Assessment Process • Assessment Criteria as a Quiz • Evaluation of the New Process by Students and Tutors • Conclusions
Introduction • Assessment for formal accreditation and student learning • Student as primary stakeholder in the process • Assignment submission via a learning management system
The Assessment Process • The LMS replaces a traditional paper based process • This provides benefits: • Flexible student submission • Persistent record • BUT the student view of the marking process is still as a black box
The Tutor and an LMS • Assignment is online • Marking guide is separate • The process is tedious • Mark entry is separate step
Marking Guides • Represented in many forms • What if it is presented as a simple rubric?
Desired Improvements • Can the technology incorporate marking criteria into the assignment?
Assignment tool in Vista • Undergraduate database unit • Students needed to implement a database • Assessed on logical and physical design • Use of constraints • Valid syntax • Results of queries
Assessments Tool in Vista • Quizzes question types include • Multiple choice (single and multiple selection) • True False • Short Answer • Open-ended (paragraph) • Feedback and results can be returned to students
Marking Criteria Examples The constraints were: 1. Not explained 2. Had a poor explanation 3. Had a good explanation 4. Had a very good explanation Did you use sensible sample data that allowed the queries to produce output? 1. Yes 2. No
Further Examples Which of the following SQL Features did you use correctly and successfully in one or more of your queries? Please select all features used. • Compound/complex search conditions • LIKE search criteria • Date function (such as TO_CHAR, TO_DATE) • Join 2 tables • Join 3 or more tables • ORDER BY clause • GROUP BY with aggregate function • Sub-queries
A Demonstration • Using WebCT – Vista (MUSO)
A White Box View • The student sees the evaluation of their assignment specifically related to the marking criteria
The Evaluation Process • Trialled in undergraduate database unit • Anonymous surveys of students and tutors • 76 assignments • 46 self assessments • 12 student evaluations • 3 (out of 4) tutor evaluations
Student Issues • Preference for the new system? • Ease of the process? • Value of the process? • Indication of performance from the quiz? • Variation in grade expectation when result known?
Greater Student Satisfaction • Early and strong indications of assessment • Improved student feedback at both times of self assessment and assessment confirmation • A greater understanding of the criteria applied • Improved learning
Tutor Issues • Ease of marking in comparison to previous approaches? • Ease of management? • Ease of providing feedback? • Clarity of marking guide in comparison to other units? • Preference for the process? • Need to override the student score? • Direction of adjustments
Tutors Prefer the Approach • Ensures a clear assessment criteria • Moderation carried out by confirming or overriding student self assessment • An imposed structure exists for persistent records easing further moderation
Findings • The criteria must be described clearly • Improves consistency • The student receives immediate feedback • Self assessment is moderated by the tutor • Persistent and central record • Ease of moderation
Conclusions • An improved assessment process • Clearer criteria • More immediate feedback • Improved learning experience • A persistent record of the entire process • Greater efficiencies in the process
Future Work • The process trialled again in 2005 • Process improvements • Process training/education required • Investigate other forms of assessment criteria