Improving student assessment
The issue
Effective assessment has greater bearing on successful learning than almost any other factor. Increasing student numbers are adding to marking workloads for staff and students express more dissatisfaction with assessment and feedback than with any other aspect of their learning experience, according to the National Student Survey (2011).
How technology can help
Technology can enable different, new and more immediate methods of assessment, helping to reduce staff workloads whilst improving the quality of assessment and feedback for students.
Resources
- Effective assessment in a digital age starts from the principles of effective assessment and feedback to identify the benefits technology can offer including:
- improved learner engagement, for example through interactive assessments with feedback
- choice in the timing and location of assessments
- efficient submission, marking, moderation and data storage
- consistent, accurate results with opportunities to combine human and computer marking
- Case studies and video case studies illustrate different approaches to the use of technologies to improve assessment and feedback. These include:
- aligning with an organisation-wide vision for teaching and learning
- using technologies to ensure quality and consistency in assessment
- using technologies to enable students to reflect and interact with tutors over feedback.
Explore our workshop materials for further information.
- Radio show - episode 10 of ‘Jisc on air’ explores how employers are driving change in assessment and feedback. Students are using a broad range of technologies to assess and improve transferable skills such as self-evaluation, critical thinking and the ability to work collaboratively.
- Assessment and feedback planning tool - you may find this useful when planning your move to technology-enhanced assessment.
- A view of the landscape (April 2012) - Our synthesis of baseline reviews revealed that many organisations take an inconsistent approach and are slow to share or implement new practices. There is also a failure to see assessment as a developmental process for as well as of learning.
Looking ahead
Our new Assessment and Feedback programme, which runs to August 2014, is focusing on large-scale changes in assessment practice supported by technology, with a view to delivering information on tangible benefits and transferable practice. Follow our progress by subscribing to tech-enhanced-assessment@jiscmail.ac.uk.