Re-Engineering Assessment Practices in Scottish Higher Education
Institute of Biomedical & Life Sciences
The Institute of Biomedical & Life Sciences at GU re-engineered the 1st year L1 Biology class to increase the level of active engagement of students in their own learning, group interaction and self-assessment. The course redesign involved the introduction of online group discussions which required students to engage in progressively more complex formative assessments (scaffolding) throughout the semester. Students have reported that the intervention has increased student motivation and enriched their learning experience. The results of the completed redesign can be found by following the links listed below:
At a Glance
| Department: | Institute of Biomedical & Life Sciences |
| Class/Course: | L1 Biology |
| Students: | 700 |
| Technology: | Online group tasks supported by VLE message-board |
| Assessment Activities: | Structured tasks supported student engagement.
Peer feedback and peer assessment activities supported by online environment. |
| Efficiencies: | Staff time savings in administering group exercises |
| Learning Gains: | Exam averages remain high and no reported differences in attainment. Staff reported anecdotal evidence of improved student engagement and class cohesion.
"Group worked well together and although it was a serious project we managed to have fun with it which is very important… team work was good and everyone put in a good effort." "It was lovely to bond with real people." Student comments |
Initial Planning
- Project Proposal (Feb 2007)
Principles in Practice
- Principles in Practice (June 2007)
Summary Report
- Summary Report (June 2007)
Evaluation Report
- Evaluation Report (June 2007)
Staff Involved
- Dr Douglas Neil [D.Neil 'at' bio.gla.ac.uk]
- Ms Andrea Brown [Andrea.Brown 'at' bio.gla.ac.uk]
- Miss Anne Tierney [A.Tierney 'at' bio.gla.ac.uk]
- Dr Joanna Smith [j.smith 'at' bio.gla.ac.uk]