In Semester One, the Education Sub-committee released a survey to obtain student perceptions on assessment mechanisms. Thank you to the students who completed the survey! The results were then compiled into a report that was presented to the Faculty Education Committee.
The results showed that there were three aspects by which students were most concerned:
- 24 hour take home exams encouraging unhealthy study habits;
- Optional non-redeemable assessments; and
- A fairer and more transparent method of marking tutorial participation.
These concerns were conveyed to the faculty through meetings of the Faculty Education Committee. Members of staff have stood by the use of optional non-redeemable assignments as a form of assessment, however our other two submissions were well received. The faculty will no longer approve 24 hour take home exams (take home exams must be 48 hours or more) and will consider other core unit assignments when setting such an assessment. The faculty has also agreed to introduce fair marking criteria for tutorial participation to ensure that tutorials will be marked equitably within a unit.
These achievements are in addition to earlier successes with faculty this year, including banning 100% exams as the sole form of assessment in a unit.
To download the report, click here: Assessment Review Report
If you have any questions about the survey or the report, please email educationvp@blackstone.asn.au.
