Learning Teaching and Assessment Strategy Presentation by Lynne Newall Northumbria University Based on original material by Alastair Irons and Dave Kemp
Dec 15, 2015
Learning Teaching and Assessment Strategy
Presentation byLynne Newall
Northumbria University
Based on original material by Alastair Irons and Dave Kemp
Strategy Aims
balance between efficiency and learning experience
increase student participation opportunity for active and reflective
learning ensure high standard, high quality internal
moderation procedures summatively assess using coursework
and/or examinations assess learning outcomes within the unit maintain balance between group and
individual work
BSc Unit Learning and Teaching Strategies unit learning, teaching and assessment strategies should be specified in each module guide
independent learning material should be introduced to students
learning styles vary between stages
strongly guided progressively independent
level 4(Yr 1 BSc)
level 5(Yr 2 BSc)
level 6(Yr 3 BSc)
MSc Unit Learning and Teaching Strategies unit learning, teaching and assessment strategies should be specified in each module guide
independent learning material should be used learning styles appropriate to level
primarily independent
level 7 (MSc)
Learning Stages
Level 4 : learning awareness and assessment honesty
Level 5 : real world learning and increasing individual responsibility
Level 6 : predominantly independent learning
level 7 : independent learning, performing highly-complex tasks and procedures
Level 4: Learning Awareness and Assessment Honesty be aware of different ways of learning appreciate good and bad practice select most appropriate learning style
for individual and group work understand and appreciate
importance of collusion and plagiarism be able to reflect and self-assess
Level 5: Real World Learning and Increasing Individual Responsibility develop level 4 skills in real world
contexts develop new learning styles,
particularly in negotiating learning techniques and outcomes
monitor own progress through self and peer assessment
Level 6: Predominantly Independent Learning predominantly involve students in
independent, directed learning group and individual
be able to appreciate learning approaches in which they are well practised
expectation of wider reading and research breadth and depth of knowledge explored selection of best practice professional quality of presentation
Level 7: Independent Learning
encourage students to take responsibility for independent learning
display a mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills
demonstrate expertise in highly specialised and advanced technical, professional and/or research skills
accept accountability in related decision-making, including use of supervision
Levels 6 and 7
We now look at the requirements of levels 6 and 7 in more detail:
from a student viewpoint from a lecturer viewpoint
Level 6 Learning Reflects the Ability to:
critically review, consolidate and extend a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, utilising specialised skills across an area of study
critically evaluate new concepts and evidence from a range of sources
transfer and apply diagnostic and creative skills and exercise significant judgement in a range of situations
accept accountability for determining and achieving personal and/or group outcomes
What Does Level 6 Entail?
From a student viewpoint: report writing critical evaluation plagiarism referencing
Report Writing: Key Points
with all forms of writing keep audience, structure and purpose in mind
factual accounts explain essential core at appropriate level
peporting work - need to follow a standard pattern
arguments need clear statements supported by clear facts
Generic Structure for a Paper or Report
abstractabstract
introductionintroduction
main bodymain body
conclusionsconclusions
reference listreference list
Depending on purpose of paper the detailed contentof main body will change.
General structure remains
Standards for layout, references etc.
Depending on purpose of paper the detailed contentof main body will change.
General structure remains
Standards for layout, references etc.
AbstractA brief description of the aims of the paper, the work undertaken,and conclusions reached.
A brief description of the aims of the paper, the work undertaken,and conclusions reached.
Length:varies withwork
Length:varies withwork
Title of workAuthor
ABSTRACTREST OF PAPER
Title of workAuthor
ABSTRACTREST OF PAPER
Introduction
First section of paper
Describes background to thework, giving a clear statement of the objectives, purpose of work, any limitations.
Brief outline of rest of paper
First section of paper
Describes background to thework, giving a clear statement of the objectives, purpose of work, any limitations.
Brief outline of rest of paper
Often writtenlast!
Draft producedearly
Often writtenlast!
Draft producedearly
Main Body
Structure depends on type of paperStructure depends on type of paper
General Points:Plan workDevelop themes Introduce topics in a sensible logical orderConsider use of diagrams, etc.Adopt a good style of writingReview work
General Points:Plan workDevelop themes Introduce topics in a sensible logical orderConsider use of diagrams, etc.Adopt a good style of writingReview work
Main Body in ProjectAnalysis, Synthesis, Evaluation
Analysis - background to problem area/ topic; criticalexamination of methods and techniques that might be used to solve the problem & and constraints.Includes literature survey
Analysis - background to problem area/ topic; criticalexamination of methods and techniques that might be used to solve the problem & and constraints.Includes literature survey
Synthesis - a description of the work done; the resultsobtained; justification of these; design choices
Synthesis - a description of the work done; the resultsobtained; justification of these; design choices
Evaluation - a criticalreview of the technical aspects ofthe work; strengths & weaknesses ofmethods & techniques
Evaluation - a criticalreview of the technical aspects ofthe work; strengths & weaknesses ofmethods & techniques
Main Body - Review Paper
This is a form of literature surveyThis is a form of literature survey
Aim:1. to determine the state of art in a particular area2. to identify a set of useful techniques/ methods/ algorithms for future use.
Aim:1. to determine the state of art in a particular area2. to identify a set of useful techniques/ methods/ algorithms for future use.
How not to do it:Do not simply list each book or paper you have readWith a precis of it.
How not to do it:Do not simply list each book or paper you have readWith a precis of it.
Give it structure / Develop ThemesGive it structure / Develop Themes
Main Body of the Project Report in more depth the introduction should be followed by
a clear and orderly presentation of the work you have done.
it will be divided into a number of chapters.
the main body of the report will contain an Analysis of the problem, the Synthesis of a solution to the problem and an Evaluation of the work.
Analysis the analysis should include the 'Background'
to the problem area, a discussion of the wider issues, critically examine the methods that might be used in solving the problem and any constraints which apply.
beware of presenting a shallow treatment of the subject which might be obtained from standard texts; you are expected to support your argument by exploring academic literature which is seminal and up to date.
Synthesise justify in detail the method(s) you chose
to synthesise a solution to the problem. discuss how your reading of the
literature guided you in your work. you will wish to make reference to
supporting documentation in your discussion of the solution; these will be held in Appendices to the Report.
Evaluation you should present a critical evaluation
of the work you have done from a technical point of view.
in this section you should attempt to identify any weaknesses of your work and possible alternative technical approaches.
beware of the 'anecdotal' evaluation - you are expected to take a critical view and justify your argument.
Evaluation (cont) in addition, the evaluation should address
the way in which you undertook the project (the process); actual progress made during the project should be related to the Project Plan expressed in the Terms of Reference document.
the emphasis should be on the learning process. A discussion of alternative approaches to the way you undertook the work should, if possible be presented.
Evaluation (cont)How do you conduct an evaluation?
list features, attributes, performance etc. rate these obtain feedback from users – objective
feedback! think about alternative solutions to the problem. think about better/alternative ways of producing
product. think about different tools that could be used to
produce the product
Conclusion
bring together the many points madeearlier in the paper
bring together the many points madeearlier in the paper
if a reportdraws on evaluationindicates future work
if a reportdraws on evaluationindicates future work
if a review paper provides summary of previous
pointsmay indicate future
developments
if a review paper provides summary of previous
pointsmay indicate future
developments
should relate tointroduction
should relate tointroduction
repeats previouspoints
repeats previouspoints
References
It is very important that you acknowledgeany work of others that you use or adapt in your own work, or that provides theessential background or context to yourwork
It is very important that you acknowledgeany work of others that you use or adapt in your own work, or that provides theessential background or context to yourwork
The use of references is the standardway to do this
The use of references is the standardway to do this
Standards for ReferencesStyles in TextStyles in Text
Romero (1982) identified three stake holders ...
In [4] the three stake holders in the process are ...
Romero [ROME82] identified three stake holders ...PREFERREDPREFERRED
Date a Web reference
Example List of References
[BRAD89] Bradley IM Notes on Algebraic Specifications Information and Software Technology 31(7)
Sept 1989, 357-365
[SOMM96] Sommerville I Software Engineering 5th ed Addison-Wesley 1996
alphabetical orderingalphabetical ordering
Sentence should “sound right”Sentence should “sound right”problem ofdialect
problem ofdialect
Be consistent with tensemixing past with presentBe consistent with tensemixing past with present
The computer was turned onPassive voicePassive voice
I turned the computer onActive voiceActive voice
be c
on
sis
ten
tb
e c
on
sis
ten
tAvoid Long ComplexSentences
Write Sentences that are Concise
Use a few words to convey messageUse a few words
to convey message
Watch for redundancyWatch for redundancy
“the great majority”“the majority”
Watch for phrases that can be shortened to oneword:
along the lines of like
due to the fact thatbecause
at some future pointlater
Watch for phrases that can be shortened to oneword:
along the lines of like
due to the fact thatbecause
at some future pointlater
Write Sentences that are Precise
Avoid ambiguity and vaguenessAvoid ambiguity and vagueness
Rather a lot of students passed the first yearRather a lot of students passed the first year
vague
Say what youmean
Use technical terms to avoid ambiguity andvagueness
Use technical terms to avoid ambiguity andvagueness
Putting it Together
To make writing flow you need a structure that allows the logical
development of the material
Paragraphs•group related sentences•start of paragraph should coincide with change of emphasis•first sentence in each paragraph should be a signpost - topic of paragraph
Paragraphs•group related sentences•start of paragraph should coincide with change of emphasis•first sentence in each paragraph should be a signpost - topic of paragraph
a keya key
FlowFlow
Doing what you are Asked to do
Criticize saying how convincing you find something
Define giving precise meaning of something
Illustrate explain using examples or diagrams
Describe give a detailed account of ..
Explain give reasons for; interpret and account for
Discuss looking at a subject from different points of view; pros
and cons
General Points Hunt for key words in a question ; quote them in
what you write Target your writing to exactly what is asked of you Support points of view with factual information Remember word limits are there to help you Stick to the word limit: may be penalized if
exceeded Show mathematical calculations Use sources for ideas Read around the subject Write at an appropriate technical level - as
reflected by your sources
Do Not CopyDo Not Copy
Plan
EssentialEssential
Work
timetable
sources
resources
Work
timetable
sources
resources
Report StructureReport Structure
introduction
topic 1
topic 3
topic 2
topic 4
conclusion
Check Yourwork
•Kept to topic title?•Introduction clarify purpose?•Purpose of each section / paragraph clear?•Conclusion shows how arguments advanced?•Logical flow okay?•Sentences okay - don’t ramble / repeat?•Written too much / not enough?•Does report satisfy aim?
•Kept to topic title?•Introduction clarify purpose?•Purpose of each section / paragraph clear?•Conclusion shows how arguments advanced?•Logical flow okay?•Sentences okay - don’t ramble / repeat?•Written too much / not enough?•Does report satisfy aim?
Pictorial DiagramsCheck List
reference in text?reference in text?
title for picture?title for picture?
labels on diagram?labels on diagram?
size & scale?size & scale?
simplified / stylised?simplified / stylised?
figure 1. Generic PC
Monitor
Keyboard
System Box
Relationship Diagrams
Non-pictorial Representation of structural /
organisational features of a situation Many types used in computing
flow charts structure diagrams data flow diagrams state diagrams entity relationship diagrams
Using Diagrams in your Work
decide on appropriate type based on what you are trying to show
keep simple if part of a methodology
stick to standards make sure the diagram makes
sense give diagrams a title, refer to in text label diagram clearly
Collusion and Plagiarism http://www.unn.ac.uk/central/isd/cite
collusion this is where one or more people work together on an individual
piece of work. ONLY work together when the assignment rubric tells you it is a
piece of group work plagiarism
this is where work is copied from:- a text without appropriate referencing another student’s work lecture handouts
“ghosting” PENALTY
loss of marks, much heartache and poor reference
Plagiarism
Software Project Management, Cotterell and Hughes, 2002 The actual quote from page 211:
“People with practical experience of projects invariably identify the handling of people as an important aspect of project management.”
If in your submitted work we find ….. “People with practical experience of projects
invariably identify the handling of people as an important aspect of project management.”
PLAGIARISM!!! AN EXACT COPY WITH NO REFERENCE
What can you do? Cotterell [Cott2002] states that “People with
practical experience of projects invariably identify the handling of people as an important aspect of project management.”
OR From his research Cotterell [Cott2002] established
that experienced project managers recognise the importance of good man-management skills to ensure successful projects.
What Does Level 6 Entail?
From a lecturer viewpoint: modes of learning and teaching implementing the strategy lectures, seminars, workshops,
guided learning assessment, marking, moderation personal development planning
Level 6: Modes of Learning and Teaching lectures
supported by slides, not ‘talk and chalk’ seminars
apply knowledge imparted in lectures, enable students to practise, question, reflect
workshops skills in practical subjects-programming, database
guided learning guidance as to self-study requirements
All the above supported by e-learning (use of Blackboard or equivalent)
Implementing the Strategy atLevel 6 study skills support adopt independent learning introduce complex learning situations expect students to apply greater
problem solving abilities where appropriate use open or flexible
learning use full range of assessments, including
open book exams
Efficiency vs Learning ExperienceSingle 10-credit module: 12 weeks per semester mix of lectures/seminars/workshops and
guided learning up to 6 single modules studied per
semester time for assessment/revision/individual
study and social activities each module c2 hours/week
Lectures (Elizabeth Porter,
Feb 2002)
make the structure of the lecture explicit use the introduction to list key points “first I am
going to describe….then I shall discuss…. I shall say a few words about…. and finally I will….”
use “listing markers” such as firstly, my next point is, I’ll move on to my main argument, the last point is…
use “cause and effect markers” to show the relationship between points: “therefore, with the result that, consequently”
Lectures (cont.) (Elizabeth Porter,
Feb 2002)
use “example markers” to indicate you are going to illustrate your ideas by giving examples: “for instance, an example of this is…”
use “emphasis markers” to indicate the relative importance of a point: “it is worth noting that, it is really interesting/crucial that…”
clarify technical terms/complex ideas use “semantic markers” to highlight you are re-
phrasing what you have just said: “in other words, let me put it this way…”
Lectures (cont.) support lectures with handouts/copies of
slides used place on Blackboard so students can get off-
line access to them (in advance where possible)
give references to source materials where appropriate
give references to additional articles to encourage independent research/learning
(Ian Bradley’s example module)
Seminars (Elizabeth Porter,
Feb 2002)
consider the way you design discussion tasks (give out discussion materials in advance, cut down long articles into sub-texts to increase speed of comprehension)
encourage students to seek clarification encourage/teach students to question,
criticise, offer opinion help students to understand that direct
quotations are no substitute for their own thoughts
Seminars (cont.) put discussion material on Blackboard
in advance, to enable students to prepare
use a mixture of individual/group work use student presentations where
appropriate use seminars to identify areas of
student difficulty, and to give formative feedback
Workshops gain practical skills individual/group activities
copying/collusion supervised/unsupervised
additional support/help facilities workbooks
mini-assessments
Exercise 1
In groups of 2 or 3, use the module descriptor for the Advanced Database module and determine an appropriate Learning and Teaching Strategy.
Produce a 12-week unit guide, including lecture/seminar/workshop sessions and topics, along with justifications.
Present your group’s guide to the others for discussion.
Guided LearningAt level 6, students should be able to
determine what additional work they need to do - what additional reading/practical exercises, revision etc. BUT, you can help by:
giving out references to other sources suggesting alternative authors/texts encouraging wider reading to use as
examples in assignments/exams showing relationship between subject areas suggesting practical supporting work
Guided Learning (cont.)The individual project plays a major role
in both guided and independent learning:
individual supervisor one-to-one communication/guidance on
a weekly basis encouragement to research topics
independently students gain in confidence and self-
motivation
Assessment use in-course assessment and/or
examinations for summative assessment avoid over-assessment of students (only
assess each learning outcome once) ensure adequate formative assessment
and feedback is available to students innovate where appropriate, particularly
in support of independent learning approaches
Types of Assessed Work coursework
individual and group assignments class tests orals / presentations self and peer assessment
examinations open book closed book open note
Marking
All assessments must have: detailed marking scheme
indicating how each set of marks is to be awarded
definitive solution where appropriate
recognition of valid alternatives
Exercise 2
Include the Assessment strategy for the Advanced Database module, along with a justification for your choice of assessment type(s).
Present your group’s solution to the others for discussion.
What Does Level 7 Entail?From a student viewpoint: exploration of boundaries, whereas
preceding levels focused on knowledge and skills within them
performing more highly complex tasks and procedures
accepting accountability in decision-making processes
responsibility for initiating supervisory and peer support contacts
What Does Level 7 Entail?
From a lecturer viewpoint: modes of learning and teaching implementing the strategy lectures, seminars, workshops,
encouraging independent learning, supervision
assessment, marking, moderation personal development planning
Franchise College FlexibilityYou will be provided with a module guide for each module
you are teaching, but have the flexibility to: give additional lectures/seminars/workshops as
appropriate for your students give extra guidance/references to additional materials make recommendations to the module tutor at
Northumbria for changes to the delivery/assessment of the module
contribute towards the assessments via the Northumbria module tutor
ensure that your students are prepared for the assessments set
Moderation
The total assessment for a module should assess all the stated learning outcomes. Moderation should also check for:
standards level correctness fairness
Moderation Process
Evidence of Assessment: internal and external pre-assessment checking
for standards, correctness, level, fairness
post-assessment checking (next slide)
provides audit trail
Moderation Process (Cont.) post-assessment checking
mark according to marking scheme – e.g. 2/3 where max. of 3
marks to be awarded for that topic include zero marks – e.g. 0/3 where student has not
given any relevant answer to a topic an indication that each page has been read/considered
second-mark sample of scripts best, worst, borderline check addition of marks awarded by marker indication that all marks have been ratified if disagreement, recommendation as to resolution (not
just average disputed marks) with justification
Guidance Tutoring
Each student is allocated a guidance tutor, who helps with:
personal development planning academic problems personal difficultiesNot as a professional counsellor –
but to direct to appropriate professional contact.
Personal Development PlanningProgress files: consider work and life experiences – development at
university with regard to career planning and future employment
reflect on the process of learning - learn to learn lifelong learning skills – transferred to the workplace plan/reflect/review progress (including a record of
academic results)
http://online.northumbria.ac.uk/LTA/pages/progress_materials.htm
Progress Files will Normally Contain: written guidance and support material review of learning prior to joining Northumbria
University semester by semester planning and review
sections framework for career planning and the
development of a C.V. reflection on work and "life" experiences. reflections on key skills development transcript recording academic achievement
Exercise 3
What material could your students include in their progress file from what already exists, without having to produce extra written work?
Present your suggestions to the others for discussion.