Written Reports
This page describes an implementation of an assessment method by a lecturer or group of lecturers. The content of the page is the result of an interview conducted through the RAFT project in DIT in the 2013-14 Academic Year.
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Programme and year on which assessment was offered
BTech Timber Product Technology, Year 1
Description
Students are given a project brief that relates directly back to the material covered in lectures. The brief will specify a report to be written of usually 2500 words. I would usually give the brief out around week 6 as the student can get started on it. The lectures will then cover the remaining material although the report will usually require that they dig a little dipper than the lectures. I do this to try get them engaged with the theory.
Why did you use this Assessment?
Most efficient when dealing with large numbers. The module also has a test so it is 50% for both parts.
Why did you change to this form of assessment?
Always used this one.
How do you give feedback to students?
I have a generic feedback sheet with good feedback points on it that I tick according to each report. I would not have enough time to provide face to face feedback to each individual student.
What have you found are the advantages of using this form of assessment?
- Efficient when dealing with large numbers.
- Can mark the scripts and give the feedback fairly quickly.
What have you found are the dis-advantages of using this form of assessment?
- A lot of problems in the past with potential plagiarism so started using SafeAssign.
- No diversity of subject matter.
If another lecturer was using this assessment method would you have any tips for them?
I reckon a lot of lecturers use this type of assessment. Make sure the report is challenging for them, don’t have it that the student can finish the report by week 8 or else you will not see them in your class for the rest of the semester.
Do you have any feedback from students about this assessment?
I think they appreciate the straightforward nature of the report. It does not require a ridiculous amount of time to complete and if they come to class they will get good insights into what is required.
Additional Comments
The large numbers make it very difficult to give face to face feedback and in a lot of cases some students only attend class sporadically. I have thought about trying to implement PBL but I think that would only cause more problems if the students do not attend. How would you manage repeats?
