Making assessment count
Overview
This project will enhance curriculum delivery through the development of an innovative assessment feedback process. Simple e-based technologies (specifically blogs and online questionnaires) will be used to develop an integrated process which will collate feedback, guide student reflections and facilitate their use of feedback to improve performance and inform their ensuing aspirations. The emphasis on reflection will enhance the student learning process. The process will also provide a centralised transparent system for staff to share feedback in order to provide better overall guidance to students. Our vision for 2010 is of students who are reflective lifelong learners, ready for the challenges of employment.
Aims and Objectives
Our main aim is to transform the student experience of assessment by engaging them, together with staff, in a process of reflection on feedback for learning. Specific objectives include:
- The development of a student centred process for reflection on feedback
- The effective use of online technologies to facilitate a process that is ordered, manageable, efficient and effective
- Dissemination and transfer of the model for reflection and action on feedback to other subject areas
Achieving the aim and objectives will enable students to act on the feedback they receive hence improving their performance and achievement. In addition other stakeholders across the university will, through the dissemination activities, see how the methods for e-feedback and formative assessment can impact positively on student performance.
Project Methodology
Three staff in the School of Biosciences will lead on the development of the reflective process. Their main task initially will be to lead a pilot of the process in semester 2 of the 2008/9 academic year. They will also work to engage a small number of other staff in the pilot before a wider roll out across the School in academic year 2009/10. They will work very closely with the University Learning Teaching & Development Centre (ULTDC) and specifically the Director of Online Learning Development. The role of ULTDC will be to provide the technology support needed and also to ensure wider dissemination and adoption across the institution and wider HE community.
Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes
- Students taking responsibility for their learning by reflecting and acting on their feedback to improve their performance
- Improved student perceptions of the value of feedback
- Enhanced staff satisfaction from seeing the hard work they put into generating constructive feedback being realised in better student performance and achievement
- Technology used to facilitate a process that is ordered, manageable, efficient and effective
- Stakeholders across the university will, through the dissemination activities, see how the methods for e-feedback and formative assessment can impact positively on student performance
Lead Institution
University of Westminster
Project Staff
Project Manager:
- Professor Gunter Saunders, University of Westminster, University Learning Teaching & Development Centre; 0207 911 5803 saundeg@wmin.ac.uk
Project Team:
-
Dr Andy Bond, University of Westminster, School of Biosciences, 0207 911 5000 ext: 3762,
bonda1@wmin.ac.uk -
Dr Mark Kerrigan, University of Westminster, School of Biosciences, 0207 911 5000 ext: 3786,
clemenm@wmin.ac.uk -
Dr Mark Clements, University of Westminster, School of Biosciences, 0207 911 5000 ext: 3544,
kerrigm@wmin.ac.uk -
Dr, Ann Rumpus, University of Westminster, University Learning Teaching & Development Centre; 0207 915 5441,
rumpusa@wmin.ac.uk