supporting further and higher education effective practice with eassessment celeste mclaughlin joan...

Supporting further and higher education

Effective Practice with eAssessment

Celeste McLaughlinJoan 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


Why use eAssessment?

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


Key issues for academic staff

• Impact on course structureUniversity 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 & supportUniversity of Dundee Case Study

• Quality assurance and quality enhancementThe Oldham College Case Study

• IT infrastructure and estates• Management of candidate

authentication and plagiarismFarnborough 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

LearningLearningPlatformPlatform


eAssessment Workshops

An introduction to eAssessments: using the COLA resources

24th October & 22nd November

Using eAssessment tools for effectiveteaching and learning

9th November & 11th December

Integrating eAssessments intoteaching resources using CourseGenie

7th December


Contact Details

http://www.rsc-sw-scotland.ac.uk

supporting further and higher education effective practice with eassessment celeste mclaughlin joan...

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