Example Scenarios - Designing Assessments

The Importance of Assessment

As highlighted in Designing Assessment, block teaching will require a different approach to assessment.

This example will highlight how to reconceptualise a traditional 6000-word essay into a block teaching module.

Traditional 6000-word Assessment

As the title suggests, students are given an essay title. They are expected to write their assignment based on the teaching and research undertaken as part of their studies and within the listed word limit.

Block Teaching 6000-word Assessment

The time frame for block-taught modules is different. A single module spans a 4-week period with the 5th focussing on checking knowledge before the final assessment and the 6th week being the assessment period. For the completion of a 6000-word assignment, some creative approaches are required. The following list is not exclusive but is designed to promote a change in the thought process. The most important thing to remember is that whatever task is used, it should always be created and aligned with the learning objectives of the module.

200-500 word pieces of text

As a good example of essay structure, a 6000-word essay could have sub-headings and natural divisions throughout the text. If within the first week of the block, students are directed to write one or two paragraphs of text supporting the taught content they will have the opening of their 6000-word essay. These writing sessions can be undertaken during or between in-person classroom time. This can be replicated week on week, but the length would need to be developed.

Presentations

Understandably, a presentation is a very different task from a written one. To make this activity work within a 6000-word essay requires some adaption. The script of the presentation could be included (with 3:30 equating to about 500 words of text) as part of the artefact. It may be that the presentation is a formative in-class exercise and a write-up of the research used is then included (with a word count of about 1000-1500 words).

Peer Activities

Group work can be used to help develop ideas. In a similar fashion to the presentation model, either a word count for aural interactions or the creation of sections of text that are included in a section of the essay.

Posters

Poster presentations (as might be seen as part of a conference) allow the students to create visually engaging, well-researched artefacts. A good explanation of what a poster presentation is can be seen on the Scientifica website.

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