Sara Fisher
Abstract below...
This service review presents the experience of
staff and students when using online presentations as an assessment tool for a
module delivered solely in an online format.
The masters level module is a core module on
several rehabilitation-related level 7 pathways. It was identified as a module
which could be transformed into an online delivery to meet many agendas
including accessibility for students
(Giddens, Fogg and Carlson-Sabelli 2010)
and university policies on sustainability. The students on the programme range from
students transferring directly from undergraduate studies to students who have
been in the workplace for 8 or more years, including students for whom English
is not a first language. The
change to online learning required a review of assessment processes appropriate
to the online environment (Stodberg
2012)
The assessment strategy is aligned to the module
delivery methods (Biggs and Tang
2011) so that students observe module content delivered
as live and pre-recorded online presentations, students engage in online live
discussion throughout the module and students have an option to deliver a
formative presentation as part of the chat rooms. The platform used throughout the module and
assessed presentation is adobe connect and students are encouraged to use a
microphone to communicate.
Results include student feedback that they find
the module daunting initially but the presentation assessment in their own environment
was less stressful that other assessed presentations, they feel up-skilled in the use of technology
which has potential to benefit patient care and they got feedback quickly.
Staff found the assessment process easy to use, reduced pressures on timetabling
and gave the facility to assess synchronously or asynchronously. The assessment
process is transparent and fully available for external examiners to
review.
Biggs
J and Tang C. 2011 Teaching for
quality learning at university. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Giddens J, Fogg L,
Carlson-Sabelli L (2010) Learning and Engagement with a virtual community by
undergraduate nursing students. Nursing Outlook 58 pp261-267.
Stodberg U. 2012. A
research review of e-assessment. Assessment and evaluation in higher
education.37(5) pp591-604
