University of Cumbria Open Access Journals
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Assessment of an ePortfolio: developing a taxonomy to guide the grading and feedback for personal development planning
Get PDFThis paper describes the rationale for, and the design, implementation and preliminary evaluation of a taxonomy to guide the grading and feedback of ePortfolio assessment of personal development planning (PDP) in a module where PDP is integrated into the curriculum. Conventional higher education assessment methods do not adequately address the requirements of this innovative approach to learning and assessment, and a new assessment tool was felt to be necessary. Drawing on recent theories in the fields of constructive alignment, reflective practice and assessment for learning, a criteria-based taxonomy was designed with the aims of articulating criteria for achievement aligned with the learning outcomes of the module, and of ensuring valid and reliable evaluation of student achievement. Analysis of student and tutor feedback and statistical comparison of marks achieved after the pilot study have produced encouraging results. While this taxonomy was designed to be used in specific circumstances, it is capable of being adapted for use by others who deliver modules or courses where PDP embedded in the curriculum is supported and assessed by means of an ePortfolio
Feedback to Feed Forward: student response to tutors’ written comments on assignments
Get PDFMuch time is invested by markers in providing feedback to students that is personalised, aimed at providing them with information to feed forward into their next piece of work. Given the investment of time by tutors in the feedback process, we were necessarily concerned with how it is used by students and keen to explore and develop practice. This paper therefore draws on an action research project to explore students’ perceptions of assessment feedback and the impact of an intervention to enhance its use. This paper presents an initial review of this work, highlighting the way that it has developed feedback processes and students’ engagement in self-regulated learning
Self and peer assessment in action
Get PDFThis study explores the contribution that can be made by self and peer assessment to effective teaching and learning. The purpose of this research was to introduce an intervention to a group of students, many of whom had non-traditional academic backgrounds, with the intention that it might enhance their academic skills and lead to more effective learning. The impact on the students’ confidence in themselves as learners is considered and the establishment of a working model for implementing self and peer assessment is suggested. The participants in the research were a group of 11 higher education students who were studying in a further education college for a foundation degree in early childhood studies. An action research approach was taken to enable an examination of the impact of the intervention and to effect changes as the academic year progressed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, students’ self-assessment sheets and observations of peer assessment feedback between students. The findings indicate that, although time consuming in the initial stages, the intervention resulted in students becoming more reflective and self-critical leading to improved academic performance. Regular sharing and discussion of their work led to increased confidence in their perception of themselves as learners
Improving the quality of a satisficing approach to learning: making a good enough approach better
Get PDFThe word satisfi cing relates to finding a satisfactory rather than optimal solution to a problem situation. In an educational context, the adoption of a ‘pass will do’ or satisficing approach to learning has always been a behavioural factor for some students. This might be attributed to things like lack of motivation, personal aspiration levels or the pressures that come to bear on available study time. This paper posits that satisficing at some level is a reality for all learners and that a main challenge for teachers should be to focus on finding ways to improve the quality of that satisficing behaviour
Opportunities for personalised learning: enabling or overwhelming?
Get PDFThis paper evaluates the development of a personalised learning approach within a professional distance learning course. The issues arising are of relevance to academics engaged in course development, with an emphasis on fostering independent learning. The course focuses on enabling student teachers to develop their generic skills, attributes and knowledge through reflective practice. The current course differs from the previous model through its emphasis on a question-led approach in which students are encouraged to identify and respond to their own learning needs in independent ways. Student evaluations and contributions at the course midpoint suggest that, while most are engaged with the notion of being an independent learner, some students are challenged by this expectation. This in turn raises questions about the concept of personalised learning
An evaluation of the first year experience from the mature students\u27 perspective: a multi-institutional comparison
Get PDFThis study investigates the experiences of mature students across three higher education institutions in the UK. The issues arising are of relevance to academics who are involved in widening participation and in evaluating support in their own programmes for the diversity of students. The sample includes mature students from programmes in Health, where mature students form a majority, and in Business, where mature students formed a minority. Focus groups were used to gain access to student perspectives on expectations, motivations, sacrifices, transitions, induction, programmes and assessment. The findings include misleading information that did not acknowledge the particular concerns and needs of mature students, induction processes that were not experienced as inclusive by mature students, and varying experiences of support but overall the institutional context was significant
Student assignment feedback
Get PDFThis paper presents the results of a small scale action research project in which a group of seven Year 2 undergraduate initial teacher education (ITE) students experienced three interventions which were concerned with feedback on essay assignments—provision of traditional written tutor feedback; completion of a tutor feedback analysis worksheet; and an experience of peer marking, with an opportunity for resubmission of work. After each intervention students were asked to refl ect on the effectiveness of the intervention. The paper presents a brief overview of recent research on the topic of assignment feedback, and the results of this project are considered in the context of this
\u27Just tell us what we need to know\u27: examining conceptions of learning and teaching
No full textThis study explores students’ experiences of learning and teaching on the QTS primary four year degree. The participants were in their second year and had just begun their english curriculum module. The study aims to explore responses to two different teaching styles—one leaning towards a transmissional mode of delivery and the other more facilitated learning. The study aims to explore the themes of deep and surface approaches to learning as well as the participants’ conceptions of the lecturer’s role and explores which mode of delivery is more likely to foster a deep approach to learning. Underpinning this study is my journey from primary school teacher to teacher educator and from teacher-focused to student-centred learning