Making Assessment Count is a JISC funded Curriculum Delivery Project run under the Transforming Curriculum Design and Delivery Through Technology Programme.
This project will enhance curriculum delivery through the development of an innovative assessment feedback process. Simple e-based technologies (specifically blogs and online questionnaires) are being 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.
The Concept of Feedback behind the Project
For the purposes of this project we have developed a framework for feedback called SOS. For more details of the SOS model for feedback go to this page.
Students have highlighted a number of benefits. These include the value of the Making Assessment Count (MAC) process in helping them to clearly identify their approach to coursework assignments (e.g. submitting early, getting a friend or family member to proofread the work, placing the work in the context of the whole course, allowing a realistic amount of time to prepare the work, focusing on the question, making better use of the help (including staff) available to them).
The project has also impacted on the working practices of some staff. Greater attention is now being paid by some staff to the manner in which they provide feedback (word processed versus handwritten) and the nature of the feedback (a clearer focus on suggested actions that the student should consider). A member of staff new to teaching and assessing large numbers of students used the SOS model as an overall framework for the marking of student work.
A significant benefit to stakeholders across the University has been the raising of the profile of feedback within the general institutional strategy for assessment. The project steering group is now incorporated as a sub-group of the institution’s learning and teaching committee and will, through this mechanism, continue to promote the MAC process, and reflection on feedback generally, across the entire University reaching potentially all staff and students. In addition further development of the e-Reflect component of MAC is part of the ICT infrastructure plan, recently approved by the University’s Information Strategy Committee.
The project is carrying out further activities to roll out and embed the use of the e-Reflect process. See Making Assessment Count Consortium.
MAC overview - Useful 2 page overview of the e-reflect process including model, aims and findings
Models and frameworks
MAC SOS feedback model - Subject, Operational and Strategic feedback model for the generation/management of feedback on coursework by students and staff
MAC staff views on feedback - A summary of current practice within the Biosciences provision in relation to feedback and its generation by staff/use by students
Kerrigan MJP, Clements M, Nedelcheva Y and Saunders G.E-Reflect, a system for making assessment count through reflection.ePortfolio 4YF Conference September 2009, Organised by the ECs Leonardo da Vinci Programme.
Kerrigan, MJP., Oradini, F & Saunders, G. The use of RSS feeds in Blackboard to support student learning and academic interactions.BBWorld 09, 2009.
Kerrigan MJP, Clements M, Bond A, Oradini F and Saunders G. eReflect - enhancing student support though a reflective online process. BBWorld 09, 2009
Kerrigan MJP, Clements M, Bond A Nedelcheva Y and Saunders G. University of Westminster, Making Assessment Count - A JISC funded project. Association for Learning Technology. 2009.
Kerrigan MJP, Clements M, Bond A & Saunders G. eReflect - Making Assessment Count. In: Proceedings of the Fourth International Blended Learning Conference. 2009. ISBN: 978-1-905313-66-2 pp.219-232.
Kerrigan MJP, Clements M, Bond A, Oradini F and Saunders G. The use of Web 2.0 technologies to support student feedback and reflection. E-learning 2.0. 2009
Kerrigan MJP, Clements M, Bond A Nedelcheva Y & Saunders G. University of Westminster, Making Assessment Count - A JISC funded project. University of Westminster Teaching & Learning Symposium. 2009.
Kerrigan MJP, Clements M, Bond A Nedelcheva Y & Saunders G. University of Westminster, Making Assessment Count - A JISC funded project. SSHL – Teaching & Learning day. 2009.
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