1. New Methods of Improving Feedback and Assessment School of Psychology Professor Carol McGuinness Director of Education Professor Cathy Craig Senior Personal Tutor HE Lunchtime Forum 16 Nov 2011 Centre for Educational Development

2. National Student Survey

3. Perceived problems and proposed solutions Coursework (mainly tutorial essays, lab reports – approximately 3,000 pieces of coursework submitted each year) Inconsistencies in feedback – amount and detail, timeliness electronic submission, marking and feedback Exams no systematic feedback from exams Individualised exam feedback through personal tutors each semester

4. New method...Coursework Electronic Feedback Submission – QoL to submit and Sharepoint to store and distribute to staff Marking – on-screen (review/comment option) Turnitin check for plagiarism Standardised marking sheet as feedback summary sheet (we had already used) Upload marked assignments back into Sharepoint Mailmerge – send email with attached student files to all students at the same time

5. Pros and Cons...... Submissions time stamped Submission deadline set to midnight Electronic central storage Accessible to external examiners Office staff do not have to sign in and hand back work BUT No submission receipt for students Marking on-line Additional overhead in office re loading up/down Sharepoint and Turnitin

6. New Method....Individualised exam feedback through Personal Tutors First week of each semester – timetabled session in Personal Tutor meetings Personalised Sheets – with breakdown of exam and coursework marks Reference sheets – summary statistics for the class All electronically supported (see examples)

7. Pros and cons....... Personalises feedback Gives opportunity to address difficulties and suggest ways to improve Can identify at-risk students BUT Is time consuming Different personal tutors (c. 25) have different styles Potential conflict between Personal Tutor and Advisor Roles

8. Evaluation We are participating in e-AFFECT – E-Assessment and Feedback for Effective Course Transformation – JISC project Quick survey of academic staff/personal tutors (see attached sheet) What do you think are the main benefits? Do you think that some students benefit more than others? How have students reacted? Impact on NSS scores??????