Science lecturers have made use of different assessment types over a period of time. This blog is a reflection of the implementation of assessment methods in different disciplines. Assessment types used by lecturers include the use of the Assignments; and Tests and Quizzes.

Assignment eTool: ‘Groups Feature’

The ‘groups’ feature within iKamva can be used to assign assessments, announcements and discussion topics to specific student groups. Hence lecturers and tutors are able to post relevant information – to their specific groups.

Application of Group Assignment

Lecturers Michael Norman, Mehrdad Ghaziasgar and William Tucker jointly taught a 3rd year Computer Science module (CSC 312) in 2018 and 2019, which focused on Human Computer Interaction, Databases and Software Engineering. Lectures and tutorials (face-to-face) focused on specific chapters/sections. These were further aligned to assessment tasks, which enabled the lecturers to engage in continuous monitoring and tracking. The lecturers requested that their students submit 4 group assignments. Hence, the lecturers created ‘Groups’, which allowed students to upload a single assignment submission for their group.

Test & Quizzes eTool [MCQs, True-and-False, Short Answer]

The Tests & Quizzes tool allows instructors to create online assessments (i.e., tests, exams, quizzes, and surveys) for students or particular groups. Online assessments can be marked automatically when certain question types are selected; and questions can be randomised per student.

Application of Tests and Quizzes eTool: ‘Pop Quizzes’, Feedback & Reflection

Various lecturers in the Science Faculty have incorporated the use of weekly tutorial quizzes within the Tests & Quizzes eTool, which forms part of the formative assessment component. These tutorials enabled students to monitor their weekly progress and enhance self-directed learning. A number of modules required students to perform practical tasks such as lab experiments. These were supplemented with instructional sheets, as well as videos. Practicals were reinforced through the use of video demonstrations. Students were able to access the learning material prior to attending class sessions.

Students (Module CSC 312) were expected to complete formative assessment tasks in the form of ‘Pop Quizzes’ which were set up via the Tests & Quizzes eTool. These quizzes consisted of a number of Short-Answer/Essay type questions. Students had 15 minutes to complete each quiz, and were able to submit an unlimited amount of times within the specified time-frame. Hereafter, the students were able to view feedback for each question; reflect on their learning progress and revise accordingly.

You may also like

Post a Comment

Powered by Blogger.