distance learning and assessment

Distance Learning and AssessmentJane Challinor

Corporate DevelopmentBusiness and Law

• Rationale for e-assessment• Quick look at the technology• Preparing your students• Supporting students• Alternatives to essays• Getting feedback: e-MEQs

Objectives

Knowns and unknowns……

The programme• Frontline Leadership

and Management for NHS Scotland

• 14 Health Boards from Borders to Shetlands

• 4 tutors in Edinburgh, Inverness, Dumfries and Paisley

• 4 modules, 6 cohorts

Conventional assessment

£4 k pa

8 weeks turn around

4 assignments

x146 students x

4 postings

E-assessment• Standard assignments

uploaded using Blackboard – Digital Drop Box

• Returned with mark sheet/feedback attached

• Turnaround: 5 weeks

Insert a document into another

• Complete feedback as you read• Using “comments” in Word as opposed to

handwriting• Quick & legible!!

Add comments

• Not used because of the confidentiality issues involved in writing about real public organisations.

• Assignments are plagiarism proofed because work-based (though referencing still an issue)

• SMEs may have similar concerns about commercial sensitivities?

Preparing for e-assessment

• Handbookpdf online

Face to Face sessions

Blackboardhttp://www.blackboard.uhi.ac.uk

Creating the University of the Highlands and Islands

Go to the UHI Blackboard Site and select User Login

Then type in your UHI username and password - which initially will be your date of birth in the form ddmmyyyy

Detailed instructions:

PowerPoint??

On line induction

Preparing for assessment

• Documentation– Critical analysis– Report/essay writing– Study guides (links to

DMU site)• Tutorials

– On line• Draft assignments and

feedback– Formative assessment

http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/student_services/lss/focus_on/_focus_materials.jsp

Maintaining momentum• Chat• Discussion Boards

Maintaining momentum

• Verbal Feedback– Podcasts– Skype– Phone

• Written Feedback– Email– assignments

Virtual Classroom

e-tivities

• Activities leading towards assignment• Discussion Board contribution• Digital portfolio• Patchwork assessment

e.g. of wiki submission

• Module on virtual teams• Technology and

communication• Option of 50:50

submission• 2500 word report plus a

wiki developed for work

And finally……….

E-feedback......

Can also have pie charts

Any Questions