JISC

Overview

Having just been working on two Gwella Enhancement Projects (“2-Evaluate” and “Peer Support”) in the University, it has been seen that there is a certain reluctance in the general student body to work collaboratively. There are many possible reasons: uncertainty of the format; concern with not getting full credit for their input; not wanting to give others a free ride; the extra effort, thought and organisation that can be required for successful collaborative work; etc.

The project will be actively exploring the work done by JISC / HEA on collaborative working and assessment and reviewing collaborative work already done in the University.

The project will also be contributing to the development of the open source peer assessment tool WebPA (a previous JISC funded project at Loughborough University: http://webpaproject.lboro.ac.uk/ ) and will be further exploring its use with trialling by 5 groups spread over four Schools.

Aims and objectives

1. To review the available projects and resources from JISC / HEA and from elsewhere on collaborative student work and assessment.
   a) Review of the use of collaborative group projects for assessed student work within the University.
   b) Review JISC / HEA Projects & Services in the area of collaborative group projects for assessed student work.
   c) To embed an organisation monitoring process in the institution that monitors opportunities for JISC / HEA funding, new publications and supporting materials, events and conferences.
2. To, in conjunction with consultants from Loughborough University, develop and enhance the administrative functions and interface of WebPA. 
3. To trial WebPA with students in academic Schools, using it to explore, not only the software itself but also the concept of collaborative working and peer assessment. The Schools involved will be:
   - Environment & Society
   - Arts and Humanities (Classical Archaeology)
   - Engineering
   - Business and Economics
4. To evaluate the project and the impact it has had on learning and teaching.
   

Project methodology

The project will follow the JISC project management guidelines for the development of the project plan, effective communication and coordinated working between the project team and reporting progress to the JISC.
Liaison at many levels, with the various user and content-providing communities that will need to contribute to an enhanced demonstrator as it builds up content, will be an important aspect of project management.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes 

1. Report showing current extent and experience of assessed group work in the University. 
2. Review of JISC / HEA projects / services in the area of collaborative group projects for assessed student work. 
3. Models for Institutional engagement with HEA presented as case studies. 
4. Guidance notes for working in the area of collaborative working and assessment. 
5. Guidance notes for working with and implementing WebPA, including case studies from the trial groups in the University. 
6. An enhanced release of WebPA, steered and driven by the community of practice. 
7. Programme of initial training in the use of WebPA, integrated into the Staff development provision. 
8. A testimonial from Executive Management Team members.