The impact on assessment
Regardless of when disruption occurs during the academic year, it is highly likely that staff and students not being able to physically attend campus will have an impact on assessment processes.
Potential or actual problems with submitting work for assessment is likely to be one of the main concerns for learners.
It’s worth ensuring that clear reassuring statements are given to learners which clarify what measures are being put in place and, where appropriate, what mitigations and flexibility will be introduced to ensure that no student feels at risk of being penalised as a result of circumstances outside of their control.
Using online submissions
You should consider turning on any online submission features for assignments within your VLE if they have not been already.
Attention should then be given to supporting teaching staff in setting online assignments that are appropriate and accessible to all learners.
Blackboard has some useful guidance for setting up assignments on its platform. Moodle also offers similar guidance.
Where possible it might be worth focusing on formative (self) assessment and group tasks, for example making use of the evaluation features in the VLE such as quizzes and polls.
Useful resources
Key messages
- Ensure you offer clear and supportive messages to students, reassuring them that they will not be penalised for circumstances outside of their control when it comes to assessment
- Ensure your VLE is enabled to manage online assessment
- Support teaching staff to create robust, meaningful and accessible online assessments