JISC

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Overview

The ESCAPE project responds to National and Institutional concerns regarding assessment and feedback. Working with two Schools the project will develop assessment for learning activities to enhance the assessment experience for learners and staff. We will draw together curriculum development activities and change management techniques to investigate and embed the use of ICT to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of assessment practices. The project will identify activities and practices that will be transportable to all disciplines and will act as a springboard for widespread change in philosophy, strategy, policy and practice across the Institution.

Aims and Objectives

The overarching aim of the ESCAPE project is to enhance the assessment experience of students and staff.

Objectives supporting the aim include:

• Creating a baseline of current practice
• Establishing the likely learning potential of current assessment practice
• Developing and implementing appropriate ICT supported assessment activity
• Evaluating the impact of the assessment interventions against dimensions of resource efficiency and educational effectiveness
• Engaging in embedding activity to ensure the sustainability of the developments
• Disseminating findings to the Institution and the wider community

Project Methodology

To stage the development, seven activity areas are proposed:

1. Review the current practice; We will draw on existing instruments such as the Assessment Experience Questionnaire and Principles of Good Feedback Practice
2. Describe and develop our understanding of our initial challenge
3. Plan new curriculum delivery methods; These will be specifically framed around assessment for learning developments
4. Pilot the innovations with two Schools
5. Evaluate the new practices; We will use various approaches and engage different stakeholders in our evaluation
6. Embed new practices and plan for sustainability
7. Disseminate to the community. This will occur through both on-line and conventional settings.

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

Our initial work plan has identified the following deliverables:

• A report of the key findings from the baseline study indicating examples of good practice and areas in need of development
• Descriptions of the changes to curriculum delivery
• An evaluation report with particular reference to; benefits of using specific ICT, transferable activities/ideas, and identification of any recommended changes in Institution processes/structures
• ESCAPE workshops, Video and text blogs and podcasts from involved parties
• An evaluation of the project
• A resource pack with details of the project process and activities, including insights into critical success factors and guidance for implementation
• Programme-wide implementation case studies
• A project website acting as a central container for our information / activities

Technologies/Standards

Our ESCAPE activity will include the use of technology to enhance the assessment experience. At this moment in time it is not possible to identify particular solutions and / or technologies. Change management techniques and exploration of current practice will help us identify the most appropriate technologies and standards. We want to be sure that, where practicable, we deploy technologies to meet the need rather than impose technologies on the Schools. We will identify through our project website our progress in this area and share the technologies as they are identified.