JISC

Overview

This project will develop the use and effectiveness of digitally supported patchwork text assessments in a range of traditional academic subjects within different HEIs. This project will develop and evaluate the ‘Patchwork Text’ Assignment (PTA) approach within a range of traditional disciplines in terms of its practicability (both in terms of staff workload and institutional technological resources) and capacity to enhance and evidence student learning. Academic staff and those who support them in enhancing learning and assessment are the community addressed. 

Aims and Objectives

The project aims to:

1. Demonstrate the relevance and utility of PTA within a range of institutions and subject disciplines, using different learning technologies.
2. Identify and highlight the functionality required in the digital environment to maximise the benefits of this approach.

The main objectives are to:

• utilise available technologies identifying key functionalities and threshold requirements for effective implementation.
• extend the use of e-assessment into undeveloped areas, identifying guidance and support needs.
• evaluate the extent to which PTA assessment can be extended to embrace subject benchmarks and graduate skills.
• disseminate findings through a range of activities.

Project Methodology

The DePTA project brings together five varying institutions. Each participating project partner will, with support of the Project Manager:

1. design and implement a holistic integrative assignment during the final year of a specified undergraduate programme of study.
2. include the characteristic features of the ‘patchwork text’ approach.
3. require the preponderance of evidence to be drawn from subject learning.
4. make full use of appropriate Subject Benchmark statements. 
5. draw upon available Graduate Attribute statements. 
6. make full and explicit use of technology.
7. develop criteria for assessment.
8. report upon the outcomes of this approach.  
   

Outputs

Project outputs will centre upon a report providing:

For the JISC: 

• An analysis of challenges, advantages and limitations of specific technologies.
• Recommendations to realise the potential of technologies to support the potential of PTA. 

For the learning and teaching community:

• Case studies of practice Guidance materials to facilitate adoption of PTA  

For employers:

• Enhanced understanding of innovative forms of assessment in HE.

Outcomes:

• identification of threshold digital affordances for PTA
• the facility to demonstrate processes of learning central to graduate and employer
• evidence for PTA's quality and reliability 

Technology

Individual project partners will select a mainstream piece of software that their institution currently uses for this project.  Through the evaluation of the effectiveness of these, threshold technological functionalities required for successful implementation of patchwork text assessment will be identified and results disseminated.