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Discover how institutions implement e-Assessment strategies to improve learning outcomes. Learn from case studies and practical solutions shared by experts in the field. Explore the impact of e-Assessment on academic staff, course structure, workload, and more.
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Effective Practice with eAssessment Celeste McLaughlin Joan Walker
Outline • Focus on current JISC activities in the area of eAssessment • Effective Practice with eAssessment Publication, JISC 2007 • Practical solutions offered by local JISC RSC via eAssessment workshops and training
Effective Practice with e-Assessment • Focus on institutional practice rather than learning design • Structured around case studies • Draws on previous research by JISC, The Open University and the University of Derby
Well-designed and well-deployed diagnostic and formative assessments can foster more effective learning for a wider diversity of learners. Effective Practice with e-Assessment, JISC 2007 Why use eAssessment?
Key issues for academic staff • Impact on course structure University of Strathclyde Case Study • Impact on workload • Culture change
University of Strathclyde • 1st year basic psychology course, class size 550 – limited opportunities for feedback on assessments • Assessments redesigned using online communication tools and feedback given • Pilot results indicate enhances in student engagement, confidence, and autonomy in learning • Dept of Psychology has now redesigned the structure of first-year classes, halving the number of scheduled lectures and similar online group work spans all topic areas.
Challenges for practitioners • Allocating time for eAssessment related skills development • Ensuring the accessibility of eAssessment for a diversity of learners • Achieving best fit between eAssessment design, course objectives and the needs of learners • Developing confidence and expertise in a full range of eAssessment approaches • Assimilating changes in working practices
Impact at Institutional Level • Staff training & support University of Dundee Case Study • Quality assurance and quality enhancement The Oldham College Case Study • IT infrastructure and estates • Management of candidate authentication and plagiarism Farnborough Sixth Form College Case Study
University of Dundee • University developed a course in online assessment, part of PgCert in Teaching in Higher Education, course SCOTCAT accredited • Focus is on pedagogy of online assessment • All academics receive copy of university’s eAssessment Policy and procedures • Administration of summative assessment managed by Director of eLearning and staff from the Learning Enhancement Unit • Use of formative assessment has been instrumental in upgrading attendance and performance
The Oldham College • Designated assessment centre set up 2005 to provide Summative tests • Learners undergo diagnostic screening, mock tests then formal assessments in basic & key skills • Scores automatically transferred to college MIS to create an individual learning record and class list for teaching staff • Results available within days via learners home page with personalised learning resources appropriate for results generated for learner • Different levels of support available for learner • Scheme now being extended to other curriculum areas
Farnborough Sixth Form College • Opened first purpose built eAssessment centre for an English FE college in 2005 • Designed to allow space to be used for teaching and learning as well as summative assessment • Network had to support routine teaching and learning and provide a secure environment for high-stakes assessment • Software used to provide secure environment for external assessments on any computer in the college
Challenges for Institutions • Developing an eAssessment strategy that incorporates pedagogic and technical aims • Introducing sustainable ways of supporting computer-based assessment • Setting up a viable physical and IT infrastructure to support eAssessment to the required scale • Instituting policies and procedures to ensure the validity of eAssessment
continuum Learning Platform
eAssessment Workshops An introduction to eAssessments: using the COLA resources 24th October & 22nd November Using eAssessment tools for effective teaching and learning 9th November & 11th December Integrating eAssessments into teaching resources using CourseGenie 7th December
Contact Details http://www.rsc-sw-scotland.ac.uk