2014 Conference

Assessment and Feedback: Rethinking Pedagogic Practice in Politics and International Relations

PSA/BISA 7th Annual Learning and Teaching Conference

16-17 September 2014, Room A03, Coates Building, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham

Conference Schedule

Tuesday 16th September

11.00 Registration

11.45 Lunch

12.30 Welcome by Professor Alan Ford, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, University of Nottingham

12.45 Session 1: Rethinking Feedback Practices

Chair/Discussant: Lisa Harrison, University of West England

Oliver Johnson, University of Sheffield, Formative Feedback

Emma Mayhew, University of Reading, Play-Back Feedback: Using Screen-Captured Video Feedback to Improve Student Attainment

Nicki Smith, University of Birmingham, and Hardeep Basra, University of Nottingham, A Critical Reflection on Feedback Practices

2.15 Session 2: Improving student learning through the use of alternative assessment methods

Chair/Discussant: Simon Rofe, School of Oriental and African Studies

Alison Statham and Jane Scullion, De Montfort University, Using and Assessing Reflection to Support Students to Develop a Better Understanding of Their Employability

Naveed Sheikh, Keele University, Repositioning Paraphernalia: Using Handouts and Posters as Assessment

Mark Goodwin, University of Cambridge, Using Policy Brief Writing as a Form of Assessment

Helen Brocklehurst, Swansea University, “Before I started this module I was dreading it..." Experiential Learning and Compulsory Group Work with Final-Year Undergraduates

3.45 Tea/coffee

4.00 Session 3: Issues and Methods in Assessing Politics and IR Students

Chair/Discussant: Stephen Thornton, Cardiff University

Barbara Morazzani, University of Birmingham, When Is Plagiarism Not Plagiarism: Applying Pedagogic Practice When Assessing Plagiarism

Stephen Thornton, Cardiff University, Assessing First-Year Politics Students for Information Literacy Awareness

Maureen Parnell, Edinburgh Napier University, Cross-Disciplinary Working: A Clash of Cultures and an Explosion of Creativity

Matthew Wyman, Keele University, More for Less? Diversifying Assessment Practices in Politics

5.30 Keynote Speaker Professor Dai Hounsell, Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, University of Edinburgh, ‘Flipping Feedback’

6.15 Drinks at Staff House

7.00 Dinner: Anoki, Lace Market

Wednesday 17th September

9.45 Registration/ Tea/Coffee

10.15 Keynote Speaker: Professor Alejandro Armellini, Director of the Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Northampton, ‘21st Century learning in higher education: seizing opportunities for change’.

11.00 Keynote Speaker: Professor Tim Thornton, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, University of Huddersfield, ‘Challenging Expectations: Recent Work on Assessment and Feedback at the University of Huddersfield'

12.00 Lunch

1.30 Session 5: Improving Student Learning: Rethinking Assessment

Chair/Discussant: Bettina Renz, University of Nottingham

Mike Mimirinis, Middlesex University, A Review of Institutional Efforts Aimed at Enhancing Assessment and Feedback: Elements That Matter

Fiona Veitch and Michael Pugh, University of West Scotland, Does Student Peer Review Help to Improve Essay and Exam Technique?

Caroline Kennedy, University of Hull, Teaching War in an Age of War

Claire Sutherland, Durham University, Object-Centred Learning and Assessment: Exploring Museums-Based Perspectives on Politics

Helen Dexter, University of Leicester, 'A Day in the Life of a Distance Learner: context and community'.

3.00 Tea/Coffee

3.15 Session 6: Delivering Effective Feedback

Chair/Discussant: TBC

Nick Robinson, University of Leeds, To Speak or Not to Speak?... That is the Question! The Joys (and Pitfalls) of Audio Feedback

Helen Williams and Bettina Renz, University of Nottingham, Feedback: Form over Function? Making the Most of Learning Technology

Miwa Hirono, University of Nottingham, Feeding Forward

Matthew Francis, University of Birmingham, Assessment Bank

4.45 Closing Comments: Professor Mathew Humphrey, Head of School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham